Keith Edward Parks

The Passing of a Veteran

Keith Edward Parks was the son of Shelby and Richard Parks, born on March 1, 1966 alongside his twin brother Nicholas Charles Parks.  He grew up with his twin brother and three sisters Roselyn, Karen, and Jeanne.  They all grew up in a couple different states due to their father being a truck driver and on the road throughout the U.S.  A couple of the states were Missouri and Indiana.  They eventually set roots back in Indiana, because that was where their father was from and it was close to Kentucky where their mother was from.

Later on Keith graduated from Martinsville High School in 1984.  During his high school days along with his twin brother, he gained the reputation of being a mad genius due to his high intellect and interest in the advance sciences, primarily electromagnetism and microphysics.

After high school he joined the Army at the young age of 18.  From there he spent the majority of his career being a soldier and serving a tour overseas during the time of Desert Storm.  After his tour he shortly left the military and gained a job as a Union Station Sheriff, back in Indiana.  Not able to adjust back to the civilian world as well as he had hoped, he went back to the military and was stationed in Fort Campbell Kentucky to help train future Rangers.  After several years on base he was medically discharged due to an injury to his upper spine and neck and came back once again to Indiana in his early thirties.

Being back in Indiana and retired, he began to focus on his inventions and hobbies that allowed him to learn and experience new things.  This furthered his reputation of being the mad scientist he once had in his former years.  One of his endeavors was to take his research in natural holistic medicine and turn it into a business by starting a brewery that specialized in a drink called Mead.  He spent over twenty years perfecting different recipes for his brews that were not only delicious and easy on the palate but astoundingly healthy and full of natural benefits.  He tried to get some of his family members interested but his nephew Devin picked up the most interest and continues to brew his own recipes that he and Keith developed at home.

During this part of his life he touched many people’s lives, including family members and even people he met through various instances.  He helped his children Seth, Levi, Anthony, and Andrew by teaching them how to value intellect and to use their minds.  He also taught them that being different with high intellect was to be revered as a gift despite what others might say.  He helped his nephew, Devin, who was struggling with ADHD, how to socialize and to accept not only people, but who he was and allowed him to gain confidence.  Keith helped his friend Emilio Medina in many ways; Emilio had a career in building jet engines and was on the brink of giving it all up.  Keith saved this man’s life not only career wise but emotionally as well.  Emilio would later go on to revere Keith as the most intelligent and caring man he has ever had the opportunity to meet and continued his friendship over several years.  These are just a few of the many people who have stories to tell about how Keith made a difference in their lives.

In Keith’s later years he began to struggle with depression and PTSD from his experiences in the military.  Even during these struggles he was always doing everything he could to help others, either emotionally, with life choices, or even financially.  The man would give the shirt off his back to help someone he knew in his heart was a good person.  Later on he would join the VFW and other groups, to not only help himself, but to try and help others struggling with PTSD from the military.  He even helped his other nephew, Nicholas, with his troubles from serving in the military and being sent to war zones.  His nephew Nicholas later on, not only gained Keith’s respect but would highly respect and honor the man as well.

Keith finally passed in the year 2020, due to a series of unfortunate events.  Keith was a son, a father, an uncle, and a mentor, among many other things.  His life has touched many people, and these friends and family members will always remember him for the intelligent, loving, and nurturing man that he truly is.

May Keith’s spirit continue to watch over his friends and loved ones from beyond this mortal coil and to help soothe their spirits during this time of being distraught.

Keith is survived by his children, Anthony James Parks, Andrew Parks, Seth Parks, Levi Parks, and Reagan Parks; his mother Shelby Jean Parks; his siblings Nicholas Charles Parks, Jeanne Goss, and Roselyn Perry; his nephews and nieces Julie Jackson, Brittany Smith, Amanda Parks, Nicholas Parks, Devin Parks, Dylan Goss, and Michael Goss.  Keith was preceded in death by his father Richard Lee Parks and his sister Karen Smith.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 12 pm – 2 pm with a funeral service immediately following at 2 pm at Flanner Buchanan – Decatur Township.  Interment will follow with Military Honors at West Newton Cemetery, West Newton, Indiana.