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Date published: 3/31/2008

Arlon E. Parks

Arlon Edward "Ed" Parks Jr. died peacefully at home in Fredericksburg of melanoma on Friday, March 28, 2008.

He was born Sept. 30, 1929, in Alexandria, to the late Arlon E. and Marian Suthard Parks. He was preceded in death by his son, David W. Parks, in 2001.

Ed graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria in 1949. He was a member of the alumni association and the Golden Friends Lunch Bunch. In 1991, he retired from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as a division manager in bus service. He will be remembered by many for his passion for service to others throughout his life. Ed was a volunteer with the Sterling Park and Dale City rescue squads, and he was heavily involved with youth athletics. Most recently, he was associated with the Micah Ministries at his church, and was a faithful servant at the area homeless shelter.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Beverly Clift; children, Arlon E. Parks III and his wife, Sally, of Richmond, Lawrence M. Parks and his wife, Rosa, of Alexandria, Thomas G. Parks and his wife, Vickie, of Stafford County, Lt. Col. John K. Parks and his wife, Susanna, of Severna Park, Md., Joseph B. Parks and his wife, Judith, of Jacksonville, N.C., and Janet C. Lowery and her husband, Steven, of Dale City; grandchildren, Jessica Kirk and her husband, Tell, Jacob and Jeremy Parks, Rebecca Hubley and her husband, Kevin, John Michael and Paul Parks, Steven Lowery and his wife, Stephanie, and Kenton Lowery; great- grandchild, Hunter Lowery; and daughter-in-law, Rita Parks, of Myrtle Beach, S.C. He will be missed by many other relatives and friends.

Ed loved the Lord and was a devoted member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church where a memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, officiated by the Rev. Larry Lenow. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mary Washington Hospice, 2600 Mary Washington Blvd., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, or to Fredericksburg United Methodist Church Outreach Ministries, 308 Hanover St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com

Date published: 3/31/2008