Kenneth Rulon Parks

Kenneth Rulon Parks, 87, passed away on Wednesday August 1

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2012.  He was under the care of Idaho Home Health and Hospice.

Kenneth was born July 26, 1925 at Riverside, Idaho to Rulon Parks and Martha VanOrden Parks. He graduated from Moreland High School in 1943.

Kenneth is a veteran of World War II serving in the US Army in a Horse Calvary/ Pack Artillery unit.

After returning home Kenneth and his father rode in the Bingham County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse’, on their palomino horses.

In 1947, apostle, Harold B. Lee, set Kenneth apart to serve a mission to the Western Canada Mission which included Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

In May, 1950 Kenneth married Marva Hancock in the Idaho Falls Temple. They lived in Moreland, and later in Shelley, Idaho where they raised their eight children. Kenneth and Marva were married nearly forty years prior to her death.

In November, 1990 Kenneth married Gail Gilchrist in the Idaho Falls Temple. They served as Temple Ordinance Workers and a full time mission in Kentucky in 1996-1997. They moved to Ammon, Idaho, in 2001.

Kenneth enjoyed gardening, welding, fishing, and helping other people. His work history included farming, selling insurance, preparing Income Taxes, landscaping and tree pruning, and as US rural mail carrier.

Kenneth served in many scouting positions over 65 years, including Scout Master and Order of the Arrow Leader. In 2005 he was honored with the Boy Scout of America “Silver Beaver Award”.

Kenneth was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a counselor in the Branch Presidency at Junction City, Kansas, Blackfoot Stake Young Men’s Presidency, Ward Clerk for four Bishops in Shelley, Idaho, Ward Mission Leader, and three Stake Missions.

Kenneth loved spending time with family. He enjoyed going to the Parks, VanOrden and Hancock reunions.

Survivors include his wife, Gail Parks of Ammon; daughter, Sheila Stone (Wes) of Chubbuck; son, Edward Parks (Debbie) of Ballwin, MO; son, Lorin Parks (Shawnna) of West Jordan, UT; daughter, Andrea Gower (Kurt) of Chubbuck; daughter, Nythel Fowler of Pocatello.; daughter, Janean White (Tim) of Chubbuck.; son, Darryl Parks (Elisa) of Ballwin, MO; and son, Richard Parks (Katie) of Idaho Falls; two step-sons, Mark and James Gilchrist; 25 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, and his sister, Delores Pitman (Marvin) of Pocatello.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Lorna Benson and Verla Sasser, brothers, Marvin, Clifford, Dean and Raymond Parks, his first wife, Marva, their sons, Gordon and Robert and a granddaughter, Christine Stone.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, August 4 at the Central Ammon Ward Chapel, 3000 Central Ave, Ammon. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday, and Saturday at 10AM both at the church. Burial will be at Shelley Hillcrest Cemetery with military rites by David B. Bleak Post 93 assisted by the Idaho Honor Guard.  Arrangements are under the direction of Nalder Funeral Home