Marvin R. Parks

Marvin Roosevelt Parks, 89 of Crapo passed away early Thursday morning, January 26, 2012 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. He was born in Wingate on September 28, 1922 and was a son of the late Robert Joshua and Annie Pritchett Parks.

He attended schools in Crapo. At the age of 14, he began his career as a waterman, working aboard his father's skipjack. He also worked as a carpenter and boat builder with his uncle the late Bronza Parks, building skipjacks which included the Rosie Parks, which is currently placed at St. Michael's Maritime Museum. He also was employed by the late Jim Richardson building boats. On April 5, 1946, he married the former Doris L. Travers. They were married for 59 years before Doris passed away on December 19, 2005. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 91. His greatest love was his family. He enjoyed woodworking and restoring antique furniture.

Marvin entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the Amphibian unit, Company B of the 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment during World War II. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was promoted to the role of Coxswain, piloting the crew and cargo of mechanized landing craft in combat. During World War II, Marvin was deployed to over fifty locations in the South Pacific including New Guinea, New Britain and the Philippines. He made twelve combat landings, logging over 10,000 miles as Coxswain of his own craft, and earned fifteen commendations. Marvin received the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, a Bronze Arrowhead, three Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on January 6, 1946.

He is survived by two daughters Donna L. Pyle and husband John of East New Market and Sharon A. Todd and husband Glen of Wingate, grandchildren Dr. Heather Pyle of Tampa, Florida and Justin Todd and Jeanell of East New Market, two great grandchildren Kailie Todd and Aubrie Todd, three sisters Rosa Pritchett of Cambridge, Doris Abbott of Robbins and Carolyn Arminger of Cambridge, sisters in law and brothers in law Mr. and Mrs. Timmy Cannon, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Williams, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Travers, Bonnie Fitzhugh, Beverly Travers and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and his wife, Mr. Parks is preceded in death by four brothers Russell Parks, Robert W. Parks, Calvert O. Parks, Kenneth E. Parks and a sister Kathleen Smith.

Pallbearers will be Justin Todd, John Pyle, Glen Todd, Allen Smith, Scott Shipley and Vaughn Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be Timmy Cannon, Wendell Travers, Robert Cannon and Douglas North.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 1 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. with Rev. Douglas M. Ridley officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park with Military Honors. Family will receive friends from 12 to 1 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Mary Todd, General Delivery, Crocheron, MD 21627 or to St. Thomas United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Phyllis Mills, 1817 Crocheron Rd., Bishops Head, MD 21672.