Mr. Neil Fowler Parke

Mr. Neil Fowler Parke, 97, passed away at his home on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Neil was born in Madison County on July 13, 1927, to wonderful parents, Gilbert “Gip” and Eliza Catherine Parks Parke. Neil grew up and attended school in Madison County. He was a graduate of Central High School, where he played basketball. Neil attended Eastern Kentucky University and from 1945 to 1946 he served in the United States Marine Corps. In 1946 Neil met the love of his life, Dorothy Mae Parrish. They married in 1948 and this past December, celebrated 75 years of Marriage.

Neil was a farmer. He raised cattle, tobacco and hay. He had worked for the Kentucky Department of Motor Transportation and later for The United States Postal Service in Richmond. In 1954 he was a co-founder of the former Parke-Griggs Funeral Home. In 1987 following his retirement from the post office, his service to families and this community would continue as he became a devoted associate of the Combs Parsons & Collins Funeral Home.

Together Neil and Dorothy have loved and served this community in many ways. They were instrumental in organizing the Richmond Little League Program and were avid supporters of Eastern Kentucky University, especially the football program. Neil also enjoyed golfing and fishing.

A longtime member of The Red House Baptist Church, he had served as a Deacon and also on many committees through the years. There he witnessed growth in church attendance and the building of new facilities. Neil loved Jesus Christ, and he was a role model to many, on how to live a Christian Life.

Survivors in addition to his wife Dorothy include: one son and daughter-in-law: Gale and Judy Hume Parke; two grandchildren: Angela Parke Dean (Justin) and Kevin Lee Parke (Marsha); four great-grandchildren: Max Dean, Liza Dean, Lily Parke and Gannon Parke; his sister: Zane Cohen; a sister-in-law: Jane Parrish; four nieces: Emily Griggs Taylor, Denise Pastina (Chris), Kay Limbach (Pat) and Clara Mae Parrish; one nephew: Billy Parrish; three great-nieces: Riley and Taylor Limbach and Alex Cowart (Cory); one great-nephew: Luke Pastina (Emily) as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son: Lee Parrish Parke; his brothers-in-law: Robert Cohen, Conrad Parrish (Ohna) and Vernon “Peanut” Parrish; and sister-in-law: Bettie Parrish Griggs (George).

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2024, at The Red House Baptist Church, 2301 Red House Road, Richmond, Kentucky with Rev. Dwayne Abrahamson, Rev. Bill Fort and Johny Collins officiating. This service may be viewed via a Livestream-Webcast on our website at www.cpcfh.com. The burial will be in the Richmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at the church.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Lee Parke, Gannon Lee Parke, Maxwell Dean and the staff of Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to The Red House Baptist Church, Hospice Care Plus, 350 Isaacs Lane, or to The Richmond Little League, C/O Phillis Adams, 109 Pleasant Ridge Drive, Richmond, Kentucky 40475.

The Combs, Parsons & Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.