John W. Park

John W. Park, son of William Franklin and Allie Ioma (nee Hix) Park, was born December 9, 1924 near Climax Springs, Missouri. He departed this life, Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Springfield Missouri at the age of ninety-three years, two months, and twelve days. On March 8, 1947 in Warsaw, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Zelma June Wallace. She preceded him in death in January 2015. They were married for sixty seven years and to this union four children were born. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife June, four brothers, Arnold, Raymond, Billie, and Bob; four sisters, Pauline, Jurlene, Willetta and Anabelle and one grandson, Tim Breuer. Survivors include three sons; John Park and wife Debby of Climax Springs, Missouri; Howard Park and wife Dana of Overland Park, Kansas; Ron Park and wife Patty of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one daughter, Dianne Breuer and husband Charles of Rolla, Missouri: eleven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; three sisters; Charlene Ollison, Dorothy Thomas and Stella Gorman and husband Bill; brother-in-law; Orbie Wallace and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. John was a 1943 graduate of Climax Spring’s High School. John served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater of WWII 1943-1946. Part of this time was spent on the USS Delong. In 1959 John was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister and served as pastor for several churches. At the time of his passing, he was a member of First Baptist Church, Camdenton. John was an accomplished blacksmith, a certified welder and pipefitter. These all served him well in his working career. In 1987 he retired from American Oil Company. During retirement he enjoyed traveling, pitching in horseshoe tournaments and fishing. He often said “you can’t catch a fish if your line is not in the water”.