James W. Parks

James W. Parks, 78, of North Port passed away August 23, 2007 in Venice. He was born January 17, 1929 in Wabash, Indiana. A graduate (1947) of Wabash High School where he was an all-state fullback on the football team, he earned his BS Degree (1951) and Master of Arts Degree (1956) from Ball State University, where he was the fullback and linebacker on Ball State’s undefeated football team of 1949. James served in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, 1952-1954. He served as President and CEO of AAA Hoosier Motor Club and its Affiliated Companies from 1965 until his retirement in 1994. Before this, he was a school principal in Washington Township, Indianapolis, Indiana. James was very active in his community, belonging to many organizations and receiving numerous awards throughout his life. He was most proud of his long association with Ball State University and served on the Board of Trustees, 1981 to 1996 (President Emeritus), and the Ball State University Foundation, 1986 to 1996 (Director Emeritus). He received the 14th Annual Ball State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1972, the “Benny Award” in 1983, the “President’s Award” in 1996, and is in the Ball state University College of Business Hall of Fame. Other awards and activities include being named “Sagamore of the Wabash” by five Indiana Governors from 1971 to 2003; American Business Women’s Association’s (Tres Bien Chapter) “Boss of the Year” 1982-83; Beta Gamma Sigma, 1986; named Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska by the Governor of Nebraska in 1988; named Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky in 1988; Sigma Iota Epsilon; rotary Club of Indianapolis, Director; B.P.O.E., Life Member; American legion, Life Member; Service Club of Indianapolis; SKAL Club of Indianapolis (Past President); AAA, National Director; Indiana Highway Users Federation, Director; Insurance Institute of Indiana, Inc., Director; AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Director; “500' Festival Associates, Director; J. Everett Light Career Center, Holding Corporation, Secretary. He enjoyed traveling more than 2.5 million air-miles with his wife, Joyce, and had the privilege of meeting with various heads of state throughout the world. James will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Joyce Lillibridge Parks; daughter, Kimberly (Richard A.) Parks Poppa; sons, James William (Neil Ann) Parks II and Jeffrey Kent (Ruby Anne) Parks; grandchildren, Elizabeth Joyce Parks, Helen Frances Parks, Olivia Noel Parks, Allison Kimberly Parks, and James William Parks III. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Smith Parks; his father, George L. Parks; and his brother, George Sydney Parks. A private service and interment will be held at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Memorial donations may be made to the Ball State University Foundation, 2800 West Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47306, or to the Englewood United Methodist Church, 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood, FL 34223. You may read and share memories at www.caringbridge.org/visit/jamesparks. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Cremation Center, Venice.