John L. Parks, Sr. Rapid City, 86, passed away on March 17, 2013, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was born in Rapid City on September 5, 1926 but he grew up in Hot Springs. His parents were James F. (Colonel) Parks and Rosanna Henrietta (Sieger) Parks. His grandfather was John F. Parks, the senator who submitted a bill to the South Dakota legislature that would later create Custer State Park. John finished his schooling during World War II and was drafted in 1944. He was stationed in the Philippines when the war ended and was then moved to Japan as part of the occupation army until he was given an honorable discharge in 1946. He then moved to Igloo, South Dakota to be with his family, but went to work at the Provo power plant, two miles away, part of the Black Hills Power and Light Company. While living there, he met and later married Donna Harbaugh. Soon he was transferred to a new plant in Osage, Wyoming, where the couple lived for twelve years. During that time, three children were born to Johnnie and Donna---John L., Jr., in 1949, Dana J. in 1951, and Julie Ann in 1957. In 1960, the company transferred John again-- this time to Rapid City to help start up another new plant, named the Ben French Station. Through those many moves, he stayed with Black Hills Power as a control operator until he retired in 1988. Besides the work, he enjoyed tramping the hills looking for arrowheads, hunting deer or picking up carving wood. He got a boat and fished and pulled skiers. At one time, he won the Arbor Day Award, because he planted over a hundred trees and shrubs on his place on Sheridan Lake Road. He collected, restored and sold antique furniture. Once he said he had a paint brush growing on his hand, because it was there all the time. He took pride in his house, garden, and apple trees. But most of all, he enjoyed his kids, grandkids and friends. He is survived by his wife Donna, 2 sons, John L Parks Jr and Dana Parks; his daughter Julie; 7 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren (and there will be more) and his sister Virginia Rose Tubbs, Edgemont. He was a well-loved husband, father and grandfather and we will miss him. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com