MSU student was positive, 'eccentric'
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Parks
Josh Parks may have provided the best summary of his life when he painted an exclamation point on his chest for a MSU football game last fall.
Friends said Parks, a 20-year-old kinesiology sophomore from Marshall, was an eccentric person with as much enthusiasm as one could muster.
“He always gave 110 percent,” friend Linda Venema said. “He was very passionate about what he did (in his life).”
Parks died Wednesday afternoon in a single-car accident on Bennett Road near the College Road intersection, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. Parks was the only person in the vehicle when it veered off the road and collided with a tree.
Parks’ friend Adam Clements, an education junior, said Parks was the person others always wanted to be around.
“He was this smart, funny, athletic guy,” Clements said. “He was a good kid.”
Clements was among the group of friends who joined Parks in painting their chests for the game last fall. He said the experience was one of his favorite college memories.
“It’s just like all the other ones, but it’s still the best one,” he said. “It just summarizes who he was like nothing else.”
Venema, a social work sophomore, met Parks when the pair began working together at the East Complex cafeterias. She said he was the type of person who wasn’t afraid to take risks.
“This past summer, a group of us went skydiving and Josh and I jumped out together,” Venema said.
“He was more eccentric. He had no limits. If it could be done, he was the one to do it.”
Venema said when the weather was right, Parks could nearly always be found in an open field playing his beloved game of Ultimate Frisbee.
“He played Ultimate a lot,” Venema said. “That was actually what our last conversation was about.”
Clements said Parks didn’t just play Ultimate Frisbee often — he played it better than most, and was a coveted asset when the time came to choose teams.
“You’d always win with him on your team,” he said.
Parks also played soccer and was a member of the MSU club bowling team.
Venema said Parks was the type of person who had a constant smile on his face. He was the person she sought to brighten her day if she wasn’t feeling well.
McGlothian-Taylor said police were still investigating the accident Thursday afternoon, and the final police report would not be available for some time. She said she could not comment on what had caused the accident.
Phone calls made by The State News to Parks’ parents’ home in Marshall were not answered Thursday afternoon.
Commentary
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put yourself in their shoes
(03/19/09 12:36pm)Report
MSU Community
(03/19/09 1:43pm)Report
God Bless you Josh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and loved ones in this terrible time.
AHDC
(03/19/09 2:09pm)Report
RIP Josh. You were an amazing addition to everything about the AHDC. You will always be remembered and honored for the amazing friend/coworker/supervisor that you were. We love you.
Devin Evans
(03/19/09 2:18pm)Report
I miss you already Josh. We had good times working together in the cafe. I’m really gonna miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
KristinPaw
(03/19/09 2:22pm)Report
I am so glad that we met and you were a wonderful person. I will miss you.
Lyle
(03/19/09 2:42pm)Report
RIP Josh, i didnt know you that well but you had an affect on alot my my close friends. You will be missed.
My thoughts go out to his family and close friends.
Alayna
(03/19/09 3:16pm)Report
Josh’s family has been through so much, a couple years ago their house burned down. RIP Josh.
Maggie
(03/19/09 4:52pm)Report
RIP Josh. You will be missed so much. You were an amazing person. I am so glad that I got to spend the time that I did with you. My thoughts are with you and I hope that you are happy in Heaven. My prayers go out to your family.
KevinD
(03/19/09 4:54pm)Report
I just saw you two days ago…I really only knew you through CTF, but those were some good times man. Thanks for the memories. RIP
Krystelle
(03/19/09 5:20pm)Report
Josh, I never really got the chance to work with you that much at the caf this semester, but you were a cool guy. Rest in peace. You will definately be missed.
Jason
(03/19/09 7:43pm)Report
You will be missed Josh. RIP buddy. My prayers and thoughts are with you man.
Andrew (marshall)
(03/19/09 8:15pm)Report
We love you, Josh. Be with God. We will always miss you.
Bill
(03/19/09 9:46pm)Report
Everyone in Marshall is shocked and saddened by the news of your death Josh you were an awesome person and even though you are gone here on Earth, you are in a much better place now and watching over all of us My thoughts and prayers go out to the Parks family.
Nichole (Marshall and MSU)
(03/19/09 10:04pm)Report
When I drove by the rock today I saw it was painted in memory of Josh Parks and I thought to myself, “wait, I know a Josh Parks, it can’t be him though” Sadly a message from a former teacher told me it was him. I’m in a state of disbelief, I hadn’t seen him since I graduated from Marshall in ’05 but he and I were in the band together…theres a lot of fond memories there, and some funny ones to. RIP Josh, may your memory live on for a very long time to come.
Cali Cousin
(03/20/09 12:50pm)Report
Thank you for such a nice article and comments. We love you and will miss you Josh.
Kelsey
(03/20/09 12:54pm)Report
Oh Josh, Thursday are never going to be the same with out you.. Liz, you and me always had a blast making fun of each other. I remember one Friday last semester I was having a really tough day and you kept an eye on me to make sure that everything was alrite. I’ll miss more then you will know and Frisbee, lasertag and work will never be the same without you.. My prayers are with you and your family. Have fun with all the games you’re playing in heaven and I hope you win..lol
Love and miss you, Kelsey
Richard
(03/24/09 10:29pm)Report
As Josh’s Uncle I appreciate all of the support and kind words that have been shared about him. He always was there for other people when they needed him. On behalf of the family “Thank You” for taking time to express your thoughts of Josh.
Ellie
(03/30/09 3:22pm)Report
Josh..i dont even know where to begin. I have known you and your wonderful family ever since i was little. The past couple years of getting to know u better have truly been a blessing. You were always there to help me out when i needed it during season. Cody and i and many others will miss you so much as we do already. Thank you for everything you have taught me and the others around{ and the exciting trip to camp with my brother} you truly are amazing and will be missed SO much! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and ur family. RIP josh!
we love and miss you: Wheeler Family!