October 2005 - 718 East Walnut St.

Gene & Kathleen Parks

Gene and Kathleen Parks have had an interesting life. Gene, a native of Mississippi, is a retired minister, and Kathleen, a native Floridian, is a retired teacher and homemaker. The couple met at Asbury College in Kentucky, where they were both students. They dated for four years and got married at the age of 21. From 1953-1956, Gene was the first resident minister of Chaplain, Tennessee State Penitentiary, Nashville. He had the pleasure of inviting Billy Graham to speak to the prisoners. Gene and Kathleen have lived in Florida since 1956, with the exception of the three years they spent in Havana, Cuba as missionaries. Gene was appointed in 1969 to the Jacksonville District as the first Urban Minister in the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. Gene remained in this position until 1988. Gene and Kathleen moved to Lakeland in 1988. They moved into their home on August 8, 1988 (8/8/88)! It was built in 1979, and has 2078 square feet of living space. It is a very convenient location for the Parks � right across the street from their church. The home was built by a Mr. Dietz. It is the third house that he built with a lake view. This home offers three wonderful views of the lake. Gene is currently the Chairman of the Neighborhood Ministry of the First United Methodist Church. This organization focuses on after-school activities for young children through middle school. The college sweethearts plan to stay in their home as long as possible. The Parks have two daughters and two granddaughters.