Edward L. "Bud" Parks, 84, of Freeport beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother died Sunday December 12, 2010 at Freeport Rehab and Health Care in Freeport. Born July 23, 1926 in Spencer, IA he was the son of Edward L. and Laura (Goyette) Parks Sr. In 1948 he and Lila L. Merchant were united in marriage. After graduating high school Bud joined the U.S. Navy. In 1950 he came to Freeport to work for Freeport Motor Sales which he later bought with Edwin L. "Pete" Reel until 1966. Bud was a pioneer in starting the automotive department at Highland Community College until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and former member of Freeport Elks, Lions and Freeport RC Modeling Club. His hobbies included drag racing, go carting, flying model airplanes, snowmobiling, camping, hunting and fishing just to name a few. Bud especially enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lila of Freeport, 7 children Laura L. (Jim) Martin of Freeport, Edward L. (Debbie) Parks III of Branson, MO, Pamela (Dave) Brand of Lewiston, MN, Michael Parks of Cedarville, Suzanne (Gary) Lingbeck of Lena, Linda (Greg) Corwin of Freeport, Jeff (Jane) Parks of Lena; 17 grandchildren Scott Martin, Amy (Todd) Reid, Marci (Greg) Millerschone, Chris (Wendy) Peck, Sarah (Jake) Lindquist, Hope and Adam Peck, Johanna and Chad Parks, Seth (Krysta) Lingbeck, Rachel (Jayson) Dittmar, Danielle (Fiance Jesse Deyo) Harnish, Ben Harnish, Maxwell, Madison, Samuel and Elliot Parks; 13 great grandchildren Justin J. and Haley L. Martin, Bailey M. and Caleb J. Reid, Payton and Corbin Peck, Austin Vaughn, Anterra Prince, Sophie and Madie Lindquist, Jace and Jordan Parks and Evelyn Dittmar; 2 sisters Darlene Gilliam of Freeport, Madelon DeVries of Boca Raton, FL; sister-in-law Shirley Parks of Spencer, IA; several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, 3 sisters, 2 brothers and grandson Michael Floyd Parks Jr. Visitation will be Thursday December 16, 2010 from 4pm until 7pm at Walker Mortuary. Funeral service will be Friday 11:00 am at Walker Mortuary. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery Freeport. A memorial has been established in his name. Bud's family invites friends to extend condolences, share a memory, or light a candle in his honor at www.walkermortuary.com.