Posted by Dr Fro 8:46 AM

Burton Holloway Parks

BURTON HOLLOWAY PARKS of Houston, 79, passed into heaven on April 13, 2008. Born in Denver to Mr. George Milton and Mrs. Caledonia Elizabeth Burton Parks, he was a lifelong learner and teacher. A devout Christian, Burton was a member of Houston's South Main Baptist Church for over 66 years and the third generation in his family to join the congregation. He taught Sunday School and was proud to serve as a member of the Yoke Men as well as having been commended by a resolution of the Board of Deacons for his service to youth through scouting. One of his greatest loves was travel as evidenced by the fact that he visited over four dozen countries and all fifty states. He graduated from Houston's San Jacinto High School (1945); from Baylor University (1949) with a degree in finance; and from the University of Houston with degrees in law (top in his class) and history. He volunteered for the United States Air Force during the Korean War eventually retiring from the Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. He taught history for over forty years in Houston Public Schools at Hogg, Johnston and T.H. Rogers junior high schools as well as at Robert E. Lee Senior High School after working for Prudential Insurance. He shared his love for teaching with his sisters, Georgena and Rosalee, both longtime teachers as well. Burton brought great joy to himself and others by leading South Main Baptist's Explorer Post 29 for almost 40 years, helping dozens of young men become Eagle scouts. He received numerous high honors from the Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, including the Silver Beaver Award and Vigil Honor from the Order of the Arrow. He took the explorers on numerous lengthy summer trips to high adventure bases in Canada, Maine and Florida, often with the able leadership of longtime friend Mr. Cannon Pritchard and brother-in-law, Mr. Ted E. Bailey, Jr. Burton was especially proud that his father was an ordained American Baptist minister who later had a successful career as a Texas insurance executive. He briefly joined his father in the insurance business before entering the Air Force. His father's direct ancestors journeyed to America on the Mayflower seeking religious freedom and include a signer of the Magna Carta. Over a dozen of his ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War as well as in the Colonial Wars and the War Between the States. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and many other groups. His mother's family moved to Texas shortly after statehood was approved. His parents as well as his sister, Mrs. Caledonia Rosalee Parks Bagby, and brother, Mr. Richard George Parks, predeceased him. He is survived by sister, Mrs. Georgena Joy Parks Bailey and her husband, Mr. Ted E. Bailey, Jr.; brother, Mr. Elwyn Eugene Parks and brother, Mr. Robert Howard Parks, Sr. and wife, Mrs. Donna Kellogg Parks. Also by numerous beloved nieces and nephews, including, niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Caledonia Bagby Schooler and husband Mr. Joel Kelly Schooler, and nephews, Mr. Milton Parks Bagby and wife, Mrs. Wanda Kay Jordan, and Mr. C. Burton Bagby and life partner, Mr. Ronald Lynn Grose; and nephew Mr. Ted E. Bailey III, all of Houston, as well as several other nieces and nephews. Also by numerous beloved grandnieces and grandnephews, including Mr. James William Qualman and wife Mrs. Rebecca Elam Qualman, and Mr. Robert Burton and Miss Caledonia Lorraine Qualman; Miss Jennifer Lee, Miss Joy Kay and Mr. Joel Kelley Schooler; Mr. Eric Travis White; Miss Jordan Elizabeth Bagby and numerous others. He traveled extensively with his sister, Rosalee (Paris and London), sister and brother-in-law, Georgena and Ted (Egypt and many other places); nephew, Milton (many trips as a child and teenager) and niece, Elizabeth (the American west and other areas) as well as nephews, C. Burton and Ron (Colorado, Canada, New England, London, Edinburgh and others). He also traveled extensively with friends Cannon and Mr. Charles White. Burton loved card games, as many former explorers will recall, and taught a family friend to play Hearts as recently as last week. He especially loved cats, but had a special love for Ron and C. Burton's Scottish Terrier, Roosevelt. The family is especially grateful for the love and care shown by his beloved nephew Ron and niece Elizabeth as well as many other family members during the last months of his life. Visitation will be 5:30 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17 and Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700 Ferris St. A Memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, April 18, Westmoreland Chapel, South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main St., Houston. At his request, nephew Mr. C. Burton Bagby, a licensed American Baptist minister and student at his father's alma mater, Andover Newton Theological School, will officiate, along with the Rev. Mr. Erin Blake Conaway. There will be a private interment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers are nephews: Mr. Milton Parks Bagby, Mr. Ted E. Bailey III, Mr. Ronald Lynn Grose, Mr. Joel Kelly Schooler, Mr. James William Qualman, Mr. Robert Burton Qualman; Mr. Eric Travis White and Mr. Joel Kelley Schooler. Honorary pallbearers are the former members of Post 29 and the members of South Main's Men's Bible Class. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sam Houston Area Council at P.O. Box 924528, Houston, Texas 77292.

2 Comment(s):

Posted by  Beau, at 4:32 PM, April 17, 2008  

Wow, that's sad to hear. Dr. Parks is probably the only teacher I ever think about from high school and probably the only one I really remember. He was one of those teachers that could be a friend to the students and get down on their level. In fact one of the things I'll never forget about him (besides his slide shows) was the pleasure he took, as a Baylor Bear, in wearing a Miami Hurricane shirt to class on Jan 2, 1991.

RIP Burton

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Posted by  Anonymous, at 4:46 PM, April 18, 2008  

Thanks for posting...

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