John M Parks, 66, of Vero Beach, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 7. He was born to the late John A and Elsie Parks on May 11, 1949 in Chicago, IL. John graduated from Palmetto High School in Miami, FL. He was married to Sharon MacFarland Parks in 1971, and they lived together in Miami, FL before relocating to Vero Beach in 1984. John was a carpenter in the construction trade and he finished his career with the Indian River County School District when he retired in 2011. He was named employee of the year in the Maintenance Department of Indian River County School District in 2009. John is survived by his wife, Sharon Parks and his children, Loren (Patrick) Moran, Amy Parks, and Randy (Terry) Parks; six grandchildren; and his sister Elsie (Larry) Wendland and many other loved ones. A visitation will be held Monday, April 18, 2016 from 5-6 pm followed by a 6 pm funeral service at First Church of God, Vero Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County. Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit John's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.