Wayne Parks, 85 of Smackover, died on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

Born on March 12, 1925 in Lisbon, he was the son of Robert Massey and Laura Darden Parks.

Mr. Parks was a retired maintenance supervisor, having been employed with Cross Oil Refinery for 30 years and 7 months. He was a retired fireman with the Smackover Volunteer Fire Department and member of the National Limousine Association.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Smackover.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and attended the Men’s Sunday School Class.

Papaw loved his children and grandchildren greatly. He filled his years on earth with tending to his cows, gardening, woodworking and camping with his family and friends. He enjoyed watching his favorite television shows with John Wayne and Andy Griffith.

If he couldn’t make or fix something, it probably wasn’t possible. Wayne’s extended family and friends were a very important part of his life. He shared many of life’s philosophies with his family including one his favorites, “Take what you got and do the best you can with it.”

Preceding him in death along with his parents were a brother, John Parks; and a sister, Floy Primm.

Survivors include his wife, Gene Parks; three daughters, Sharon Kay Parks of Smackover, Joleen Braswell (Randy) of Hot Springs and Vicky Lynn Parks of Benton. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Russell Braswell of Benton and Laura Braswell Sturdivant (Jeff) of Bryant; a brother-in-law, L.T. Primm of El Dorado; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Parks of Smackover; along with a special niece, Linda Christian of El Dorado.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Monday at First United Methodist Church in Smackover with the Revs. O. D. Turner and Leon Dixon officiating.

Interment will be in Smackover Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home in El Dorado.

The family will receive friends beginning at 5 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 500 W. Seventh St., Smackover, AR 71762.

A guest registry is available at www.baileyfuneralhome.net on the Internet.