Obituary

Raymond D Parks of Rockford passed away peacefully on August 9th, 2025 after a long illness. Ray was born October 22, 1937 in Moline, Il to John and Pauline Parks. He was the youngest of 3 sons.

Ray graduated High School in 1955 in Milledgeville, Il. In 1958, at the age of 21 he joined the US Army and served in active duty for 2 years in Germany, then in the army reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1964.

He moved to Rockford, met and married Brenda K Sall in 1966.They had 3 children, Robert, Jodi and David. Ray worked for Illinois Bell and AT&T most of his career, and later for Hughes Communications until retirement.

Ray loved sports, particularly baseball and basketball, and the Chicago Bears. He helped coach his sons through the Boys Club, and Roy Gale in the 70s and 80s. Ray was a lifetime member of the YMCA and was a regular in the weight room at the downtown branch.

Although healthy for most of his life, Ray was a prostate cancer survivor. He developed dementia and other health problems around 2020. He spent the last few years in Wesley Willows, then at HighView at the Woodlands in Rockton, under hospice care with Mercy Hospice until his death. The family would like to thank the staff from all facilities for the wonderful care provided.

Ray is survived by his daughter, Jodi (John) Garland; son, David Parks; daughter-in-law, Sandy Parks; grandchildren, Lyndsey (Nick) Schroeder, Austin (Alyson) Daily, Rudy (Ali) Castillo, and Marcelo Castillo; and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, John (Nona) Parks; and several cousins and nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his parents; wife, Brenda; son Robert Parks; brother Charles (Lois) Parks and many others.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2025 at Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., Rockford. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Goldie Floberg Center or the Alzheimer’s Association in Ray’s name. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.olsonfh.com