Felix W. Parks

Felix W. Parks 79, of Conrad, MT went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 16, 2017. He was born on September 9, 1937 in Harrison, Arkansas to Felix T. & Hazel I. Parks.  At the age of 4, they moved the family to Pittsburg, KS.  He grew up in Pittsburg, where he graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1955.  He married Marilyn James, his high school sweetheart, in August of 1957.  Their 59 year union produced a son, Mike and 2 daughters, Mindy and Beth.  He briefly attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins.  Felix began his life-long career in 1956 with Southwestern Bell, as a line-man.  He later transferred to Longmont, Colorado with Mountain Bell, where he moved up to the position of Construction Foreman.  During his work there, he had the opportunity to put the telephone lines into the Eisenhower Tunnel and into NORAD.  He continued in his career, as Construction Foreman and eventually landed in Conrad, Montana with AT&T.  He worked all over the State and had the pleasure of burying cable along Hwy. 89, near the Goat Lick in Glacier National Park.  His childhood dreams were fulfilled here in Montana with owning the Lazy Bell Cattle Ranch and building a log home.  He retired early in 1990 from US West, which is now Century Link to continue his dream of ranching.  He also enjoyed the time he spent over-the-road with Irvin Trucking.

His spare days were filled with many outdoor adventures.  Early on he built his own arena in CO and enjoyed calf roping.  His love of big game hunting spanned Kansas, Missouri Colorado and Montana.  Once on the ranch, he pursued the sport of pistol shooting with building his own shooting range.  This assisted him in attaining the title of 3rd Top Sharp Shooter of Montana and even had the claim to fame of beating, Bob Munden, "The Quickest Draw of the West".  One of his highlights was putting 200 miles through the Bob Marshall Wilderness on horseback along the Continental Divide.  He had the privilege of shooting a Boone & Crockett mountain lion. Another trip that he treasured was his guided hunt in the Northwest Territories, which successfully brought home a Dahl Sheep and Caribou.  He could either be found on his ranch working, with family and friends on a pack trip up in the Bob Marshall, hunting, or teaching his 10 grandchildren about the great outdoors that he loved.  He cherished the opportunity to include his grandchildren in his hobbies and mentor them in the Lord.

He started attending the Conrad Mission Church in 1975. He has been a member there for 41 years, where he faithfully ministered as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Elder.  He thoroughly enjoyed serving as a greeter for many years.  Felix had a devout love for His Lord and Savior, which he lived out consistently.  He was intentional about bringing his passion for the Lord and love of the outdoors to mentor others in his daily life.

Felix is survived by his wife, Marilyn Parks of Conrad, Montana.  His son, Mike (Julie) Parks of Conrad, Montana; and his daughter, Mindy (Rob) Troester and 4 grandchildren of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his daughter, Beth (Robin) van der Wel and 6 grandchildren of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and aunt, Wiladean Warren of Greenleaf, Idaho and numerous cousins.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:  The Missions Fund at the Conrad Mission Church, 205 2nd Ave. NW, Conrad, Montana 59425 or to Peace Hospice, 2600 15th Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana 59405. Condolences may be left online at www.asperfh.com.