Michael A. Parks

Michael Anthony Parks completed his earthly journey on December 27, 2024, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. After a sudden decline in his health, he transitioned peacefully surrounded by his wife, son, and other family members.

Michael was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 13, 1972, to Odessa McDowell Parks and Luther Demus. He was born a twin, however, sadly, his brother Mark Anthony Parks died at birth. Michael was given the surname Parks to ensure that the family remained a solid and cohesive unit.

He professed a love for Christ as an adolescent. Michael accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Price Ellis. His baptism solidified his morals and values at an early age. The spiritual foundation he received deepened his reverence and personal relationship with Christ, which ultimately shaped who he became as an adult.

Michael shared a birthday with his older brother Reginald, which nurtured their extremely close bond. He also developed a special connection with his older sister Robin, who unselfishly delayed her educational endeavors to cultivate his growth and development. The two were inseparable. He lovingly referred to her as his, “Little Mama."

As the youngest of nine children, Michael knew that he was special, cherished, and loved unconditionally by all of his siblings. It was evident that Michael was exceptionally gifted. Because of this he excelled throughout his academic career. Many characterized him as a human encyclopedia because he could store and recall vast amounts of information.

Michael graduated from Lincoln Academy for Accelerated Study in 1991. After graduation he attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri where he pursued his degree in History and became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Lambda Chapter.

Michael was employed at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy (LATCA) for ten years as a Middle School Teacher. His employment experiences at LATCA allowed him to discover his niche and develop a passion for education. He took his role as an educator very seriously and he was genuinely concerned with cultivating and nurturing every student's individual talents and ensuring their academic success throughout their educational careers.

History was Michael's forte and he was quite the history buff. From world history to American and African American History, he enjoyed it all. Michael’s childhood friends referred to him as the “Professor,” because of his ability to retain such knowledge. Michael found a passion for learning the history of Kansas City, Missouri and shared his gifts while working at the Bruce R.

Watkins Cultural Center. Other notable employment experiences include the Thomas Hart Benton Home and Historical State Site.

Michael enjoyed sharing historical facts with others, solving the New York Times Crossword Puzzles, reading various forms of printed materials, and answering questions from the Jeopardy Game Show. He shared a tradition with his father of dining at Niece’s Restaurant and continued this tradition even after his father’s passing.

He was also a diehard Chiefs fan and a member of the Chiefs Kingdom. In addition to being an avid reader, he loved playing pool, and fostering relationships with his child and neighborhood friends. He was an old soul who appreciated listening to several different genres of music, however, he favored old school music from the 60’s to 90’s, rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop, and rap.

Although he appeared stern, he was “easy like a Sunday morning.” Michael was very introspective and a retrospective thinker. He was selective about whom he shared his innermost thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities. His humble and authentic demeanor and sound moral compass were rooted in the presence of the Holy Spirit and his mother’s resilient parental influence.

Michael’s astute observations of his siblings allowed him to form sound judgments based on their experiences, knowledge and wisdom. He marched to the beat of his own drum. Michael navigated life's challenges by trusting in God, living a modest lifestyle that embodied a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment and devotion to his faith and family.

Michael was a committed life partner his college sweetheart, and wife, Lisa Williams for twenty-five years. Their relationship produced two beautiful and intelligent children, Marcus and Kayla. He was a devoted and ever-present father in both of their lives; but he was empathetically a girl dad. Michael attended all parent conferences, concerts, sports, and other events. He was not only a great father to his children, he faithfully served as a surrogate father to his sister Sonya’s son Michael Anthony Parks (Mikey). After Mikey’s passing in 2020, he assumed the role of “Uncle Grandpa” to Mikey’s two older sons, Michael Jr. and Malachi Parks.

Michael was deliberate and intentional on how he lived his life, how he raised his children, and who he allowed in his inner circle. He valued his faith, family, and friends. Michael was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepmother Elnora Demus, sisters; Ernestine Franklin and Linda Lomax, brothers; Reginald Parks-El, Ernest Parks, and special nephew Michael A. Parks.

Left to cherish his memory, his devoted wife Lisa Williams, son Marcus Parks, daughter Kayla Parks, Mother-in-law Jean Young; brothers; Richard (Karen) Parks; Harbor City, CA., Andre Parks, and Shane Parks, sisters; Robin Denise Parks, Sonya Renee Parks, Coletha Byers, and Brenda Lomax; Sisters-in-law; Linda Parks, Hopkinsville, KY., Shirley Parks, Kissimmee, FL., Deborah Parks-El; brother-in law Tony Williams; Uncle; Dr, Jackie Baston, Aunt; Deborah (Herman) Munson; Lifelong friends; Charles Dey, Aaron Gant, Chris and Carlos Hopkins, Paul Morris, Corry Smith, and James Wesson. He also leaves a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, co-workers, students, and friends from the Peppermill Pool Hall.