Death Notices

PARKS
JAMES PATTERSON PARKS was born in Dustin, Oklahoma on October 6, 1920 and departed this life in Prague, Oklahoma on March 16, 2003.

James was the son of Lonnie Parks and Mayme (Patterson) Parks. He graduated from Dustin High School with the class of 1938. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he held several offices in the Sigma Chi fraternity and was named "Big Man on Campus." He was a nationally recognized member of the OU debate team placing second in the nation in 1942. He was also a member of the Delta Sigma Rho and Delta Sigma Phi honorary fraternities.

Following his graduation from OU, he was commissioned into the United States Navy, serving overseas until the end of Word War II. Following his separation from active duty, he moved to Okemah, Oklahoma where he and his uncle, W.R. Parks, founded Parks Hardware and Parks Funeral Home. In 1974, he acquired Okemah Lumber Company. He was a partner in the acquisition of Parks Brothers Hardware and Funeral Home in Prague and the subsequent merger with Curry Funeral Homes. He had remained active in the business until recently when his health forced his retirement. While in Okemah, James was active in many civic affairs. He served two terms as President of the Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Kiwanis Club, and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

Shortly after moving to Okemah, he met Mary Jane (Selby) Reilly. They were married in Okemah on November 5, 1950. She preceded him in death on February 1, 1988. He then married Margaret (Kezer) Bannister in Prague, Oklahoma on June 15, 2001. He and Margaret made their home in Prague shortly after their marriage. His parents, one infant daughter, and one son-in-law also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Parks, Prague; one daughter, Mary Margaret Greene, Allen, Texas; three sons and daughters in law, Bob and Connie Reilly, Okemah; Joe and Shari Parks, Okemah; Jim and Janet Parks, Prague; one step-daughter and her husband, Jenny and Earl Cody, Edmond; two step-sons and their wives, Rev. David and Anna Faye Rose, Oklahoma City; and Morri and Jennifer Rose, Midwest City; 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 1 step great-grandson.

A celebration of James' life will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday, March 19, St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Okemah. Interment will follow in the Prague Cemetery. The family will host a reception to receive friends in the community room of Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague immediately following the burial.

GREENE
ANTHONY EDWARD "TONY" was born August 17, 1942 in Norway, Maine and departed this life at Baylor Hospital in Richardson, Texas on March 24, 2002 at the age of 59 years, 7 months and 7 days. Tony was the son of Roy Everett Greene and Emma Irlene (Harney) Greene. He graduated from Sun Oak Cliff High School with the class of 1960. He attended Texas Tech University and proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. Tony was well known in the pressure sensitive label industry having worked for and founded several label companies over the past 30 years. He was married to Mary Margaret "MM" Reilly on April 25, 1970 in Okemah, Oklahoma. His grandchildren were the lights of his life. His parents preceded him in death. Survivors include: His wife: Mary Margaret Greene, of the home, Son: Anthony E. Greene II, McKinney, TX, Daughter: Shannon Gahagan, Allen, TX, Grandchildren: Reilly Gahagan, Ryan Gahagan, Sister: Karen Jaramillo. Family requests that you honor Tony's life by giving the gift of Life - become an organ donor. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, March 27, 2002, 2:30 P.M. at the Fairview Baptist Church in Fairview, Texas, with Chaplain Patton of the Fairview Fire Department officiating. Services under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service, Prague, Oklahoma.

BROWN Lazine (Selby) Brown -- March 1, 1914 -- January 2, 1998

Sadly, I must report that my Aunt Lazine passed away after a short stay in a convalescent hospital in Arizona. The whole family sends their heartfelt sympathy and condolences to her husband Wayne (Brownie) Brown, her children Sally Davis and George Dutton, and to all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lazine will be greatly missed by all of us.
Terry Belcher