Michael D. Parks, age 67, of St. Clair, Missouri, passed from this life to his eternal home on June 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born August 21, 1956, son of Clyde Eugene Parks and the late Grace Ealey Thurmond Parks.

He is survived and sadly missed by his wife of 42 years, Linda Parks; children: Tiffany Bennett and spouse Derek of Murfreesboro, TN, Nicolas Parks and spouse Brooke of Columbia, MO, Bethany Tiehes and spouse Matthew of Pacific, MO, and Brittany Sachs and spouse Steven of Washington, MO. He is also survived by his father, Eugene Parks; three brothers: Larry, Garry, and Kevin Parks; sister, Cheryl Danz; seven grandchildren: Wessley, Hailee, Emma, Beckett, Braelynn, Campbell, and Leo; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Grace Parks; sister, Linda Lottmann; one grandson, Kyle Strauser; and beloved German Shepherd, Bella.

Mike was a journeyman union carpenter during his working career of forty plus years and helped construct hundreds of homes in the St. Louis and surrounding counties including three for his own family.

He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying mainly fishing and deer hunting.  He had many talents and excelled at them all.  He was a taxidermist, tournament winning archer, and in recent years, his fishing enthusiasm led him to create Sho-Me Custom Lures.  The artistry was amazing and his lures were used by fishermen across the world.  Mike also enjoyed cooking for the family, serving his signature lasagna, smash burgers on the grill and so many more culinary delights.

His quick wit, sense of humor, and joke-telling will be remembered by many.  You knew when he started a conversation with "remember that time" and had that smirky grin, that a good story was to follow.  His one-line quips always made you laugh or just shake your head.

Mike is a Christian having accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young man.

The love for his family was unsurpassed and there was nothing he enjoyed more than spending time with them making memories.  Those memories shared will forever be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Donations may be made in his memory to: The American Cancer Society.