"Bud"

Duane A. “Bud” Parks

To Watch the Livestream of Bud's Service ~ Click Here:

On the morning of December 27, 2023 Duane A. Parks of Sayre, Pa and formerly of Rome, Pa passed away with loved ones by his side at the Towanda Personal Care Home, where he had been residing since June. His contagious grin and jovial manner will be held in our hearts forever.

Born an only child of Oscar and Beatrice (Chaffee) Parks on March 3, 1933, he graduated from the Ulster High School, class of 1953. The love of his life, Doris Whitehead, waited for him to graduate so they could be married and on December 4, 1953, they tied the knot. Together they spent 68 wonderful years together until her passing on February 5, 2022.

Duane always was employed somewhere and held a variety of positions at several establishments to include; Sylvania, AC Smith Auto Parts, was a milk truck driver, Leprino Cheese, Nichols Agway, CC Allis and several farms over the years and eventually retired from the Robert Packer Hospital as an Xray transporter. Always a lover of horses, one of his favorite jobs was the Hemp Horse Farm in Owego, where he was able to work with horses daily.

Music was such a part of Bud’s life, as it was always playing in their home. Every Sunday morning, a stack of LP’s was loaded on the record player and one by one, Eddie Arnold, Jim Reeves and Hank Williams blared in the living room. And of course, a little dancing occurred with Dad, singing along in your ear. He made sure his daughters knew how to dance and especially how to polka.

Following retirement, Duane and Doris loved to travel on bus tours, cruised and visited the Canadian Rockies, several National Parks, Alaska, Hawaii and many other locations. HE loved his winters spent in Myrtle Beach, SC and especially in Mesa, AZ where they many so many dear friends who they always kept in touch with.

Duane was a previous member of the Rome Fire Company, Windham Ambulance, Sayre Elks and also had helped Judd Gerould with showing beef cattle when his daughters were active in 4-H

Surviving are his three daughters and sons-in-law: Lucille and Lee Kilmer of Ames, IA; Loretta and Brian Chaffee of Rome, Pa; and Karen and Ron Brown of Rome, Pa. Duane was blessed with 7 grandchildren: Carol (Guy) Bennett, Amy (Chad) Settle, Jason (Mandy) Kilmer, Brianna (Ryan) Morales, Alicia (Chad) Mosier, Erica (Jack) Hansen and Jamie Brown. Duane loved hearing the adventures of his eleven great grandchildren, Jennah Hansen (Dominik Lippolis); Vanessa Hansen, Devin and Claire Settle, Grace Bennett, Lena and Vera Kilmer, Danae and Danica Mosier; Rowan and Nora Morales. He will also be missed by his special in-laws Carl and Jackie Whitehead; Gladys and John Knowles and Helen and Dale Petty; along with a cousin that Duane grew up with Stanley Chaffee.

Duane was predeceased by his wife Doris in 2022; an infant daughter Carol in 1962 and a cousin that that was like a brother to him, Avery Barnes.

Duane’s family will gather for a private family service on Friday, January 5th at the Sutfin Funeral Chapel, 273 S. Main St., Nichols. A live stream of the service may be viewed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/duane-bud-parks

Memories may be shared by visiting his guestbook at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Guthrie Hospice, 421 Tomahawk Rd., Towanda, Pa 18848 in loving memory of Duane A. Parks

www.guthrie.org