Roy Park

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)


Mr. Roy D. Park, age 85, of Fairland, Oklahoma, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017, in the comfort of his home.

Roy entered this life on November 27, 1932, in Belden, Mississippi, born to the union of the late James and Katie (King) Park. He grew up in Belden on a cotton farm his parents owned and he was a 1951 graduate of Belden High School. Roy loved to travel and his work in the telephone industry allowed him to reside in several states throughout his career, including Missouri and Kansas. He retired from Verizon in the early 1990s after serving as their District Supervisor. In 1984,

Roy met a lady he knew he had to have and on July 20, 1985, he married Sharon Coy at Connor Avenue Baptist Church in Joplin. Roy and Sharon took on many fun projects together. In the earlier years, they resided in Carl Junction where they purchased and flipped houses. For the last six years, Roy and Sharon have resided on their cattle farm in Fairland, where Roy was always seen outside mowing meticulously. He was happiest outdoors where he could mow, fish and camp. Roy always appreciated the older times and the old order of things. He deeply loved his grandchildren and his family and friends were his entire world.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; two sisters; and his brother-in-law, Donnie Coy.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-two years, Sharon, of the home; four children, Aaron Park of Branson, Missouri; Teresa England of Branson, Rob Park of Lamar, Missouri, and Pat Dunbar and husband, Virgil, of the State of Mississippi; four grandchildren, Ray Ernest, Cody Ernest, Jimmy Park and Preston Dunbar; six great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Michael Coy, of Grove, Oklahoma; a sister-in-law he called his ‘Morning Glory’, Diana Coy, of Joplin, Missouri; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services with full military honors are 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2017, in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary with Chaplain Dave Talle officiating. Burial will follow at Baxter Springs Cemetery in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Those honoring Roy’s life by serving as pallbearers are Aaron Park, Scott Binn, Ray Ernest, Cody Ernest, Jimmy Park and Preston Dunbar with Charlie Rogers and Mark Shouse as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday at the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent through our website www.thornhill-dillon.com.

Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.