John Grier Parks Jr. ’43

John died Feb. 20, 2004; he was 82.

A Concord, N.C., native, John prepared at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, and graduated from Princeton with a degree in English. He then graduated from Presbyterian Faith Theological Seminary, and followed up with additional graduate work at Union Theological Seminary.

A Presbyterian minister for 52 years, including 10 during his retirement, John also served as a pastor in a Virginia coal-mining camp and as a missionary in Brazil.

In 1968, John submitted the following for our 25th reunion: "I hope that 25 years from now it will be said that more than a few of us were simply trying to be Christians in the positions we took.''

Predeceased by his wife, the former Jean Barlow, in 1993, John is survived by two daughters, Patricia and Gay; a son, John III; and six grandchildren.

To the entire family, we extend our most heartfelt condolences.

The Class of 1943