Noris Clair Park 1907 - 2009
At a time when the river boats still plied the Ohio River on a regular schedule and no locks contained it.Our father was born on September 25th 1907in St. Mary’s, West Virginia. He died on April 14, 2009. Noris Clair Park was 101 and one half years old. In his life the changes he saw were enormous, from the horse and carriage to watching the space shuttle being launched as he sat in his home in Melbourne, Florida.
He lived through the great depression of the 1930’s with his young wife Charlotte Jane Park and son Donald. He worked for the Eureka Oil Pipeline Company as a telegraph operator and had a job when many others were suffering very hard times. He generously helped others survive when they didn’t have jobs. Our parents moved to Burton, West Virginia where they bought a beautiful farmhouse. He joined the Masonic Lodge in Hundred, West Virginia and was a member for more than 50 years. In Burton, three daughters, Shari, Barbara and Jean joined the family.
Around 1950, the family moved to the Charleston, West Virginia area, while he continued to work for the Eureka Oil Pipeline Company and doing surveying as a second job. Before retiring to Melbourne, Florida dad built two homes in Pinch, West Virginia. He spent winters in Florida and summers on Droop Mountain, West Virginia, in his home that overlooked Hillsboro and the mountains beyond. The view was fabulous and he loved his West Virginia hills. Our parents, when returning to Droop Mountain each spring would sing "The West Virginia Hills, Oh those Beautiful Hills". Our parents were married for 68 years. He was happiest when he was in "his" West Virginia. He enjoyed operating his ham radio and communicating with people all over the world. He loved to fish and his friends nick-named him "Sparkie".
He was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte Jane in 1998 and his son Donnie in 1984. He is survived by three daughters, Shari Park Gates of Opelika, Alabama, Barbara Roberts of Phippsburg, Maine and Jean Coleman of Pinch, West Virginia plus twelve grandchildren and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. He was loved and will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Friends may call at the Tennant Funeral Home in Hundred, West Virginia from 12:30 – 2PM on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM with the Evangelist Steve Stevens officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany Cemetery near Nettle Hill Pennsylvania. The Littleton Lodge #131 AF & AM will conduct Masonic graveside services.
You may send condolences to the family at www.tennantfuneralhome.com.