Samuel "Sam" Parks' Obituary
Samuel Parks Jr., affectionately known as Sam, passed away on January 3, 2026, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was 93 years old.
Sam was born on November 11, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Samuel Parks Sr. and Susan Parks. He grew up in Philadelphia, where he developed a strong sense of faith, service, and community that guided him throughout his life.
In 1963, Sam met Margaret Maurer at the Darby Presbyterian Church, a place that held deep meaning for him and reflected his lifelong commitment to church involvement. Sam remained active in church life for several years, generously giving his time to support children’s activities and community programs. In later years, he became a devoted member of John Calvin Church in 1973 and eventually a member of Heritage Broken Arrow Church in Oklahoma.
Sam proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he built a successful professional life, working for Gulf Oil Company and later for The Philadelphia Inquirer, where his dedication and work ethic were well known.
An avid traveler, Sam especially enjoyed visiting Civil War battlefields with his wife, combining his love of history with his passion for exploration. A die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan, he remained loyal to his hometown team throughout his life, never missing a chance to cheer them on.
Sam is preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Parks and parents.
Sam is survived by his wife Margaret “Maggie” Parks, daughter Tracey Parks, daughter Jennifer Parks, daughter Stephanie Charlton, son Adam Parks, sister Marion Parks, grandchildren A.J. Charlton, Jonathan Charlton, great-grandchildren Wyatt Charlton, Hudson Charlton, along with numerous friends and loved ones.
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