James Raymond "Porky" Parks

James Raymond Parks, age 80, resident of Somerville, Tennessee, departed this life Monday afternoon, March 24, 2025 at Christian Care Center in Bolivar, Tennessee.

James was born January 6, 1945 in Fayette County, Tennessee, the son of the late Carroll Moses Parks and Mary Boothe Parks. He graduated from Fayette County High School in Somerville and served two tours in Vietnam while in the United States Air Force for eight years. James worked at Salant & Salant in Somerville for 15 years in the shipping department and worked at Taylor’s Grocery before his retirement. He was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed hunting, reading many books, watching westerns and listening to country music.

Mr. Parks is survived by two sisters, Joy Parks Earnest of Somerville, TN and Virgie Parks Appling of Somerville, TN; two brothers, John Franklin Parks of Somerville, TN and Dwight E. Parks (Ike) of Somerville, TN; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Parks of Somerville, TN.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul E. Parks, Carroll Conn Parks and Alfred Elliott Parks.

Funeral Services for Mr. Parks were held at 2 P.M. Friday, March 28, 2025 at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Ryan Talbert officiating. Interment followed in Parks Chapel Cemetery near Somerville.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Scott Gibson, Steve McNabb, John Barry Earnest, Cooper Earnest, Jay Earnest and Donnie Ray Parks.