Samuel Sidney Park

Samuel Sidney Park was born on February 28, 1932, in Breckinridge, Texas, to Martin Willett and Willie V Park. His early years were spent in the Permian Basin area, living in Crane, Monahans, and Wickett, Texas. He attended public schools in Wickett and Monahans, graduating from Monahans High School in 1949. He played on the MHS football team that won state in 1949. After a time at Arlington State (now University of Texas-Arlington), he joined the U.S. Navy, serving for four years including time on the aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet. After the navy stint, he entered Texas Tech and earned his baccalaureate degree.

He married Lane Walker in 1959 and proudly fathered a daughter, Paige and a son, Sid. He and Lane divorced in 1966.

In 1967 he met and married Dorothy “Dot” Durham Sparks and gained two children, Steve and Sharon, into the family. The next several years were spent in Lubbock, where he and Dot taught in the area schools. After retirement, they moved to Runaway Bay, enjoying the lake, their boat, and the extended clan. Frequently he and Dot traveled around the country, building memories of good times. More recently, they moved to Hudson Oaks, next door to his daughter, Sharon and her husband, Joe Barnhart.

Sam was a longtime member of the Presbyterian Church, from his time in Monahans to the days in Lubbock and now in Weatherford.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Merle Williams and her husband, Carroll (Sonny) Williams; a brother-in-law, Paul Cooper; and a granddaughter, Lauren Reed.

Surviving are his wife, Dot; his daughters, Paige Park and Sharon (Joe) Barnhart; his sons, Sid Park and Steve (Dana) Sparks; a brother, Denny (Sue) Park; two sisters, Dian Cooper and Pearl (Bill) Barnard. He also leaves five grandchildren, Leslie, Tucker, Tate, Kaleb, and Littleton, and four great grandchildren, Leighton, Brayden, Annistyn, and Addalyn.