Urie Edward Parks, 100, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., died January 21, 2017, Jacksonville, Florida. Ed Parks was born in his beloved Charleston, South Carolina February 17, 1916. At six years of age, Ed and his parents, Sarah Gantt and Urie Elijah Parks moved to Avondale in Jacksonville. Sports became an integral force in his life. He lettered in football at Robert E. Lee where he graduated in 1934. Back to Charleston, Ed attended the Citadel where he played football for two years. He transferred to U of Florida, joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and graduated in 1939. Following graduation from Florida, Ed joined the US Army as a private. During his 23 years in the Army, served on Attu Island in the Aleutians during WWII and became a paratrooper with the 18th Airborne Corps. He retired as a Lt. Col. In 1963. Once out of the military, Ed joined a fledgling insurance company. He became a co-founder of AFLAC. As the years progressed the driving force behind his success as a sales-man was the love he felt for his clients. Ed served on the YMCA Board. He was a Big Brother. He delivered Meals on Wheels for 15 years until he was 89 years old. He and his best friend, Bobby Travis, were life-long competitors in handball and golf. They were both alternating handball champions of the Seminole Club. Ed was a member of Timuquana Country Club, Florida Yacht Club, and Ponte Vedra. He was a 32nd degree mason and a Shriner. He was a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. He is survived by his son, Edward Powell Parks; daughter, Becky Grimes (Tommy); two grandchildren, Michael Stone O’Leary (Melissa) and Christopher Gantt O’Leary (Nicole); great-grandchildren, Aileen, Sean, and Clara O’Leary and Lillian Beam I was a loving father and a wonderful friend to those lucky enough to know me, Ed Parks. Love, humor, sports, service -Urie Edward Parks Dad’s caregiver, Vivian White, joked, laughed, and listened to his many thoughts and stories. He loved her as we all do. Thank you for being you, Vivian. Heartland Hospice was a perfect partner for our father. Thank you to an excellent staff who helped make the last months so good. Always responsive and very patient Little Black Bag Medical, Dad’s wonderful doctors during these last years. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Brian Stephens. Dad loved living at Riverside Presbyterian House. Special thanks go to Juanita, Gail, Priscilla, and Marty. Thanks and appreciation to Arbor Terrace-Ortega. Dad lived the last months of his life in this caring, cheerful professional environment. Graveside services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery. A reception will follow at Timuquana Country Club at noon. In lieu of flowers, Ed, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville, requests any donation be made to the Rotary Foundation-Polio Eradication, PO Box 37028, Jacksonville, FL 32236 Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207 www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com (904)737-7171
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Posted on: 2017-01-30
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