Harry "Keith" Parks Jr.

He was 86 years old. He leaves behind his wife Carol, daughters Tracy Slovick (Ken Slovick) and Lisa Parks (Patrick Paddison); grandchildren Kyle Slovick (Kelsey Griffin), Kristin Slovick, Korey Slovick and Ella Paddison; and great-grandchildren Chandler and Baker Slovick.

He grew up in Solon, OH, the son of Harry Keith Parks Sr, a professional baseball player for Philadelphia, and Inez Clark, one of Cleveland east side’s first female real estate agents. His father died of a sudden heart attack when Keith was 9, which led to his taking on great responsibility in helping care for his younger brother.

As a young student, his interests were less in the classroom and more strongly felt in music and sports. He played trombone in the school band, and in high school performed as a soloist, as well as conducting a junior high band. He was athletic and excelled at many sports, but baseball was his lifelong love, and he pitched for the local teams. These experiences fostered the character traits that helped him later succeed as a teacher—perseverance, leadership, confidence, and a comfort onstage.

At Baldwin Wallace College, he found his passion in education and Spanish, and earned his BA and MA there.

Then, under the pretense of borrowing a hammer in order to meet the two cute girls in the apartment upstairs, he met Carol Foster, whom he married in 1965. It was the beginning of an almost-60 year devoted marriage.

Soon after, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which at that time most often meant a much shorter lifespan. Through his own discipline and unwillingness to let the diabetes stop him from playing sports and living the life he wanted, along with the unwavering commitment of his wife who ensured he was cared for in the way that would be required to live with the disease, he outfoxed his initial medical prognosis and lived several decades beyond expectations. In his last decade, even as the diabetes took his eyesight, he maintained his cheerful optimism, never complaining, and continued to persevere.

As a Spanish teacher at Center Junior High in Strongsville, he was devoted to his students and loved the energy of junior high. He said he had learned early on that with hard work, he could often achieve more than others with more talent. This became a centerpiece of his teaching, coaching, and parenting philosophy – put in the effort, reap the reward.

He led teams of Spanish students to compete – and win- at the state level multiple years. In 1982 he was named Teacher of the Year for the Strongsville school system, and was a finalist for Teacher of the Year for Ohio. He coached football, baseball, basketball, and girls’ softball.

He was the original girl dad, proud of his two daughters and always willing to play games with them – whether Yahtzee, cards, or making sure they knew all 50 states and their capitols', as well as teach them basketball, football, and softball, and provide endless support for their interests. He was a family man, and enthusiastically planned annual camping trips. He loved children, and was also a beloved grandfather, doting the same attention and love upon his grandchildren.

Never shy about making a dad joke, wearing his signature style, or whistling whole-heartedly along to a song that moved him, he was always comfortable in his own skin. He moved through the world sure of who he was and what his values were.

He was utterly unique, and wonderful, and his family will miss him tremendously.