Derek Parks

Derek Shane Parks, age 42, of Oklahoma City, former lifetime resident of Seminole, Oklahoma, passed from this life into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 6, 2017. Born October 14, 1974, Parks had lived a large part of his life in Seminole. He attended Seminole Public Schools and graduated with honors from Seminole High School in 1992 as co-salutatorian. Parks served as senior class president and attended “Presidential Leadership” in Washington, D.C., his senior year. He thoroughly enjoyed playing for the Seminole High School Football Team. Derek often talked about the strong lifelong bonds that were formed with both coaches and players. Parks loved spending time working and playing outdoors, where he felt the closest to God. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, such as traveling, camping, swimming and snorkeling. He cherished all the many times and fond memories made with his family, friends and dogs outdoors. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys, Nathan and Gavin. Parks attended Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts (OCUSA), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in Finance in 1996.   Parks attended the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma, and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in May, 1999, and was a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. From 1998 to 2001, Parks worked in the legal field at various firms in both the Oklahoma City and Seminole areas. In 2001 he ventured into construction management, where he worked alongside Keith Shaw at CMS Construction and went on to manage and oversee the overall construction of over forty projects. These projects included, but were not limited to commercial, industrial, educational, governmental municipality, institutional, faith-based, healthcare, and residential projects in Seminole County and surrounding areas. From 2011 to the time of his death, he continued in both construction management and legal counsel for various companies, including Synergy Construction Services, LLP;  Oilfield Plastics, Inc.; Enviro Systems, Inc., and Pillar Contracting, Inc. In 2011 he married, the love of his life, Kali Bowles.They lived in Oklahoma City with his three cairn terriers, Murphy, Henry and Vinny, and were members of the St. Joseph's Old Cathedral Catholic Church. Derek is preceded in death by his father, William (Tommy) Parks, grandfather Bill Parks, grandfather Warren Thrasher, grandmother Thelma Parks, grandmother Rita Cook; uncle Tommy Mills and uncle Carol Gene Parks. He is survived by his wife Kali Bowles of the home;  sons Nathan Parks and Gavin Parks, Seminole, mother Judy Parks, Seminole; brother Tyler Parks and sister-in-law Natasha Parks, Seminole; nephew Solomon Parks and niece Meirna McHugh, Seminole; father-in-law, Larry Bowles of Tulsa, Oklahoma, aunt Vivian Mills, Seminole; aunt Debi Casey and uncle Terry Casey, Seminole; cousins Tana Parks and son Grant Parks, Tulsa; cousins Piper John and family; Misty Floyd and family. The service will be held at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Shawnee, Oklahoma, Wednesday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. Pallbearers include Tyler Parks, Nathan Parks, Gavin Parks, Duane McCullough, Chris Waddell, Todd Lilly, Jeremy Stilwell and Brian Bergerson. Honorary pallbearers include Larry Bowles, Terry Casey and Keith Shaw.       Funeral Information: July 12, 2017, 10:00 AM St. Benedict's Catholic Church located at 632 N Kickapoo, Shawnee, OK 74801