Farrell Carter Parks April 9, 1931 - September 17, 2021

Farrell Carter Parks, age 90, passed away peacefully Friday, September 17, 2021, at the Cottage Glen Assisted Living Center in Tooele, Utah in the presence of loving family members.

Farrell was born in Belle Fourche, South Dakota to Rulon B. Parks and Maude Carter on April 9, 1931. He was the second of seven children. As a child, he enjoyed swimming in the local creeks, football, boxing, shearing sheep, and spending time with his father, who passed at a young age.

Farrell served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1949 to 1954. He spent a year and half of that time in the Korean War, completing multiple combat missions. Because of this experience, warm boots, warm blankets, and guns were always a necessity. He received an Ambassador for Peace Certificate from the Republic of South Korea in 2014 and a Commendation Medal from the South Korean consulate in Salt Lake City in 2017. He was an American patriot and was proud to serve his country. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. In recent years, he joined a Veteran’s group at the Salt Lake City VA and enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow veterans.

Farrell was married to Joan Arlene Schanzenbach on June 18, 1960 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota and later sealed in the Logan Utah temple. He spent much of his life in Bluewater, New Mexico, moving to Tooele, Utah in 2015. He worked hard to support his family of seven children, spending many years as a uranium and coal miner, as well as time as a carpenter and a security guard. His children are grateful that he instilled in them the power of prayer, hard work, and continued education, which has helped them overcome life’s obstacles and lead successful lives. Many enjoyed his sense of humor and profound insights and conversation. He was a talented painter and enjoyed observing the stars, writing poetry and reading. He loved the Lord and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved the priesthood, studying the scriptures, researching his family history and attending the temple. In the church, he served as a high councilman, bishopric member, various teaching callings, and enjoyed his time serving as a Branch President in the Laguna/Acoma branch in New Mexico.

We are so grateful for the care and assistance of the Cottage Glen staff during the past 6 years as well as the recently provided hospice care from Active Home Health. We are also grateful to the Salt Lake City VA for the many years of excellent care they provided and to Dad’s veteran’s group for their love and support. A special thank you to Jose for his friendship and concern. Thank you to Tate Mortuary for your solicitous care. A private family memorial will be held at a future date. Farrell will be interred at the Tooele City Cemetery.

Farrell is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan Parks, and his seven children and their spouses: Joleen and Rick Jones of Indiana, Pamela and George Sims of New Mexico, Marcia and Steve Green of Texas, Christopher and Monica Parks of Utah, Holly and Mike Norris of Texas, Lavonne and Marty Evans of Washington and Kirk and Jennifer Parks of Utah. He has 30 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Farrell will forever be loved by his family.