Carl Parks

Abingdon, Va. – Carl Bruce Parks, age 54, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  Carl was a graduate of Holston High School, Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, and Virginia Highlands Community College.  He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Virginia National Guard with twelve years of service to his nation. 

As a Christian and member of Antioch Baptist Church, Carl was very passionate about his faith in Christ and spent many years serving as a missionary as well as a minister.  For the past twenty years he served as a registered nurse at Indian Path Medical Center, home health nursing, and currently at the Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute in Marion, Va. 

Carl is preceded in death by his father, Delmar “Bud” Parks.  He is survived by his wife, Katherine Byerley Parks; three sons, Luke Parks of Abingdon, Va., Sergeant Cade Parks, U.S.M.C. and wife Megan of Indian Head, Md., and Richard David Parks of the home; two daughters, Kali Parks of Jonesborough, Tenn. and Hannah Grace Parks of the home; mother, Irene Vannoy Parks of Abingdon, Va.; sisters, Betty Smith of Damascus, Va., Janet Farmer and husband Jim of Damascus, Va., Sandy Parks and husband Richard Monk of Emory, Va., Connie Carty and husband Daryl of Meadowview, Va., and Missy Wright and husband Mike of Abingdon, Va.; brothers, Delmar Parks of Abingdon, Va., Jimmy Parks and wife Linda of Kingsport, Tenn., Buddy Parks of Abingdon, Va., Kent Parks and wife Tina of Abingdon, Va., and Chad Parks and wife Mary of Glade Spring, Va.; expected granddaughter, Eleanor Parks; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. 

Visitation with the family will be held 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at Antioch Baptist Church, 1016 Old Airport Road, Bristol, Va.  A celebration of life will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Brad Davis officiating.   Military rites will be conducted by Highlands Veterans Honor Guard and the United States Air Force. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VHCC Bud Parks Memorial Scholarship at Virginia Highlands Community College, P.O. Box 828, Abingdon, VA 24212, in Carl’s name.

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The family of Carl Bruce Parks is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.