Kenneth D. Parks, D.D.S.

"The King of Comebacks” Everything that should have killed him didn’t. Kenneth was born on July 26, 1927 in Westville, OK, and passed away on December 18, 2016. He was the only child of Harvey and Polly Parks of Westville, OK. They later moved to Tulsa, OK, where Kenneth attended Will Rogers High School. He left high school early to join the Navy. He was a veteran of the United States Navy in WWII. He served in the Pacific, and was captured and injured in combat. Upon his return, he attended and graduated Northeastern State University. He went on to attend Kansas City Dental College, where he met and married the love of his life, Marilyn in 1953. He graduated Dental College in 1955. After graduation, he served his country again with the United States Army, practicing dentistry for the occupation troops in Germany after the war. Upon his return to the United States, he served at Fort Richie, Maryland, back up for Camp David, as Dentist to the President. Kenneth made many charity trips around the world fixing teeth with Dentists Without Borders. A world class fisherman, these trips gave him the happy opportunity to fish the world’s finest locations, which he delightfully undertook. Kenneth was a long-time member of the OK Dental Association, and was a strong advocate of continuing education. He took every opportunity to investigate new techniques and implement them. He was a speaker at dental conventions across the country. In his later years, Kenneth suffered from COPD, a complication of his war injuries. He refused to let it keep him down. Wholly dedicated to his work, he was still working until the day he went to the hospital. Kenneth had a big heart, and loved helping people. God was number one in his life, and he served his country twice. He loved his wife of almost 60 years, and his two children, and was blessed to be able to see his grandchildren and great-grandchild. Kenneth will be greatly missed and remembered by those who knew and loved him. He is predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Ruth and daughter, Kathleen Worrall. Kenneth is survived by: his son, Kevin Parks and Naomi of Tulsa; his grandchildren, Sarah Lowe and husband John of Jenks, Hannah Worrall and Samantha Worrall of Kellyville, and Rebekah Worrall McQuivey and husband, Riley of Idaho; great-granddaughter, Maggie Lowe; niece, Michelle Sidener Haas of The Netherlands; and nephews, Michael Orr of Chicago, IL, and Gilford T. Sidener of Elmurst, IL. Visitation will be Thursday, December 29, 2016, from 2 until 8 p.m., at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 1402 South Boulder Avenue. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, on Friday, December 30, 2016, at Regency Park Nazarene Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Kenneth D. Parks, D.D.S.

July 26, 1927 - December 18, 2016