Raymond Parks, 89 Walters, OK

Funeral services at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Rev. Ron Bartoli officiating with interment in the Walters Cemetery.

Raymond Charles Parks was born to Roy and Georgia (Brown) Parks on March 24, 1935, in Lawton, OK, and departed this life at his home on the hill northwest of Walters, OK, on March 15, 2025.

Raymond graduated from Walters High School in 1952. He met and married the love of his life, Patsy Thompson Revell at Ballinger, TX, on August 26, 1954, gaining a son and a daughter. When Ray came along, they lived in a tiny trailer on Raymond’s parents’ farm. They later lived in a small four-room house down the road. He then built the house they live in north of Walters and moved in on Thanksgiving Day 1963!

Raymond was always a hard worker! In his younger days, he raised pigs and cattle to show in FFA. He worked for Jack Copeland putting together and delivering equipment! Raymond bought his first combine in 1956 and headed north with Pat and Ray in tow! Combining was his second love. He worked alongside his lifelong friends Elroy Cooper and Andy Flanagan for several years until Ray was big enough to run a combine. From then on, the two of them would follow the harvest to Kansas, Nebraska, and his favorite stop in the San Luis Valley in Colorado.

They retired from custom harvesting in the early 90s to be able to be home and help Roy! Still partners, they began farming full-time and running cows! In 2003, Michael joined the operation, and the three of them, known as P3, worked side by side without too many incidents and shenanigans, for the most part, until he was unable to work the last few months! And in the last few weeks, with his health declining, Pat stayed beside him, never leaving his side!

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Georgia; his brother Frank Parks; his sister Dortha Weir and Calvin; his stepson, Bruce Revell; his stepson-in-law, Ron Brown; and his mother-in-law, Zella Thompson.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Pat Parks of the home; his son, Ray Parks and wife Julie of Walters; his stepdaughter, Patricia Brown of Burleson, TX; five grandchildren, Michael Parks and Shena, Ashley Kinder and Kody all of Walters, Tammy Alfrey and Michael of Walters, Amy Bledsoe and Bret of Alvarado, TX, and Ronnie Brown and Kristen of McKinney, TX; ten great-grandchildren, Stella, Mazzy, Fisher, Jack, Kari, Miranda, Raiden, Evelyn, Kahne, and Kolbie; his sister, Anna Wilson and Billy of Walters; his sister-in-law, Kay Parks of Walters; and a host of other family and friends.

Memorial donations can be made to New Salem Baptist Church, 180036 N 2590 Rd., Walters, OK 73572.