Wallace Owen Parks, age 81, of San Saba passed away on Monday, September 12, 2022, in San Saba.
Wallace Owen Parks was born to Finis Owen and Wallace Elizabeth Parks on February 10, 1941, in San Saba, Texas. Owen attended San Saba schools and graduated in 1959. Owen married the love of his life, Linda June Hendricks, on July 20, 1963, at First Baptist Church San Saba. He continued his education at Texas Tech University, earning his bachelor's degree in Business and Marketing in 1964. After graduation, Owen and Linda returned home to San Saba where Owen began working at Production Credit Association where he worked for almost 20 years. After his retirement, Owen had the opportunity to farm and ranch with his father on the land where he grew up.
Owen and Linda welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Kelli Jan, on December 29, 1964, and a handsome baby boy, John Carter, on September 10, 1966. Owen loved watching both his children do all of their activities. Owen loved playing golf with Carter, competing in, and winning, many fatherson golf tournaments. He was the San Saba Golf Course club champion in 1978. Carter was the club champion in 1982. He could hardly wait to watch Kelli perform in dance recitals with ballet, tap dancing, and jazz. He especially loved watching her perform as a Dilloette.
Owen began serving his community as soon as they moved back to San Saba, serving as the President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, followed by serving as the President of the Chamber of Commerce. He helped with the stock show and sale for 19 years, receiving a Chapter Farmer Award for his service. Owen was involved in the very beginning in the planning of the San Saba Golf Course, serving as the Secretary Treasurer for 25 years. He was a member of the Farm Bureau for many years and served as the President. Owen's service continued as a member of the Hickory Underground Water District since the first official Steering Committee meeting in 1980. In 1982, at the first formal board meeting, Owen was elected to serve as board president, a position he served in for nearly 39 years. He was a member of the Economic Development Corporation, being elected as Director and serving in that role from 1999-2001, Vice President from 2001-2002, and President from 2002-2020. Owen was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, serving his church in many areas including being a Sunday School teacher for the Men's Bible Study class, chairman of the Administrative Council, and singing in the choir.
Owen was preceded in death by his parents, F. Owen and Wallace Beth Parks, and a son, John Carter Parks. Owen is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda; a daughter, Kelli Barker and husband Darrin; a brother, John and wife Mary Helen; a sister, Susan Gilger and husband John Robert; two grandsons, John Darrin and wife Michelle; Justin and wife Hannah; and six great-grandchildren: Carter, Colt, Walt, Chloe, Crosby, and Brantley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Owen will be held Friday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. at San Saba's First Baptist Church with a reception to follow in the church's fellowship hall. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to First United Methodist Church, San Saba's First Baptist Church Operation Christmas Child, or the San Saba Cemetery Association.
Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba in charge of arrangements.