Leonard Parks

Leonard Parks was born on October 17, 1936 to Thelma Barringer and Amos Parks in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was the youngest of three children, Lawrence and Leroy, and had a fierce affection for those he loved. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a brilliant electronics, and computer science engineer. He was obsessed with inventing ways to use electricity; such as developing flashing lights for jewelry molds he created in the 1970’s; well before the technology was mass marketed. While raising three children and working full time, he earned his Master of Arts Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University. He later started a small business which contracted production of electronic parts for Southwestern Bell; a mid-west telephone conglomerate.

He devoted his life to raising his three daughters and ensuring they were well educated through the Catholic private school system. He embraced having three girls; evidenced by taking them fishing and annually procuring season tickets to the St. Louis Blues hockey and St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. He loved the Cardinals. Even when defeat was imminent, he would always stay through the nineth inning because being there with his daughters was a win for him.

Leonard leaves behind: three daughters and three sons-in-law, Fonda and Joe Alexander, Shari and Roger Elliott, Tracy and Reggie Stradford; eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and close extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his beloved “Jackie”; mother of his three girls.

The Lord has taken his Spirit Home, but left us with many fond memories and the privilege to have spent the time we had with him. May he rest in Eternal Peace!