Parks, Howard C.

Howard C. Parks, 84, of Marion, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at his home of heart disease. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, and one hour before the service Tuesday, all at the funeral home. Burial: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion, beside his beloved Joyce.

Howard is survived by his daughter, Diana (Tom) Parks of Waterloo; his son, John (Linda) Parks of Lenexa, Kan.; four grandchildren, Mike Parks, James (Helen) Parks, Kate (Dana) Goshon and Jenifer Longworth; and three great-grandchildren, Jamison, Hayden and Morgan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife of 63 years, Joyce.

Howard was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Cedar Rapids, the son of C. Hollis and Lena A. Parks. His parents divorced, and he was raised by his single mother. He attended Garfield School and graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids. Howard graduated from Iowa State University in Ames in 1951.

On Nov. 21, 1948, he was united in marriage to Joyce Fosdick at First United Methodist Church, Marion. Joyce died in 2011.

Upon graduation from college, he briefly taught high school at The Training School for Boys in Eldora before joining Collins Radio Co. in Cedar Rapids. Howard was an engineer with Collins for 34 years with five years off as production manager for National Oats (1970-1975). He retired from Collins in 1991.

Howard was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Marion, for over 50 years, serving in many capacities. He was an active volunteer in Boy Scouts: Pack, Troop and Post 35. He was also an active member with the Marion Historical Society for many years. He enjoyed the company of good friends and all kinds of music.

Memorials may be directed to Tanager Place at 2309 C St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Please sign the online guest book for Howard at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Sept. 22, 2013 in The Gazette