Stephen E Parks

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Stephen E Parks [send private message]

https://dnapainter.com/profile/203548

https://www.yourdnaportal.com/pp/STE1fd8e1d9

https://www.familytreedna.com/my/y-dna-migration-map

CONTENT

AncestryDNA name Stephen Parks Gedmatch Kit ID A298211 https://www.wikitree.com/treewidget/Parks-1168/5 Alternate email: on request

DNA shared on AncestryDNA, My Heritage, FTDNA, Gedmatch, Family Search, Wikitree, FTDNA, Ancestry.com, DNA Painter.

ANCESTOR PORTAL

Paternal surnames of interest

Parks Mathews Sheffield Dansby Berry Thrash Hollingsworth Cowsert Stubblefield Cooksey Watts Justice

Maternal surnames of interest

Berg Dotson Rauth Horn Huntington Franks Douglass Sayre Nutter Shaw

CURRENT PROJECTS

Steve’s brick wall

Eddie Berg’s father, The Berg surname is from Eddie’s mother’s name of the father is unknown and was never identified by his mother. Eddie Berg not Edward Berg. Family Search ID MJ2S-88G. Alfred L Johnson did not identify as a step father to Eddie. Paul Rauth or his brother may be our father, there are many DNA matches that point in this direction but this is only a hypothesis. Rauth cousin match Steve’s DNA and are currently unexplained except through this hypothesis.

Henry Parks’s father (Y-DNA team) searching to identify the correct surname line of Henry’s father which also includes shared Y-DNA with certain families with the following surnames: Graham, Bourland, Parks. Particularly interested in DNA matches with unknown connections of certain lines of: Broyles, Wilhoit, Willhite and other spelling variations, and Dean. Name

DNA TESTS

Steve has taken AncestryDNA test, username SteveEParks Steve has taken FTDNA Big Y-DNA700 test, username B67294 Steve has Autosomal DNA test at Gedmatch A28211, FTDNA B67294, My Heritage, 23 & Me, mitoYdna ID T18302

TREES

Steve shared his Gedcom tree with Family Search (LKQ3-RV6), My Heritage, Geni, Gedmatch, FTDNA and Ancestry.com with the latter being the most up to date and used most often.

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/103974718/family?cfpid=420034976077&fpid=422105958753

DNA CONFIRMATIONS

Paternal

Parks-1473: A non-parental event, Y-DNA proved for Henry's descendants and descendants of John Graham 1740-1813, but the male ancestors do not match their Y-DNA.

Henry's father is not John Parks born in 1738, the mother of Henry is also unknown but presumed to be a Parks, many sites have the wrong information.

My Parks autosomal DNA must come from a daughter (Henry's mother) of John Parks (Parks-1468), Henry's DAR Ancestor Number A087083.

We don’t know if our DNA is from Henry Parks or if it is through the Graham line-or an unknown.

At the suggestion of others: Non-Biological indicators are used: In WiliTree DNA test connections system. Connections stop at non-biological relationships. Set Henry's father as nonbiological and mother as unknown. Done 3/1/2023

Relationship confirmed with an Ancestry DNA test match between Stephen Parks and AC . Their MRCA are the Grandparents of Stephen E Parks. Predicated relationship reported by AncestryDNA: 1st cousin 1X removed based on sharing 8% DNA, 528cM on 23 segments. Verified by paper trail.

Relationship confirmed with an Ancestry DNA test match between Stephen Parks and WL. Their MRCA are the Great grandparents of Stephen E Parks. Predicated relationship reported by AncestryDNA: 2nd cousin based on sharing 4% DNA, 267cM on 12 segments. Verified by paper trail.

Relationship confirmed with an Ancestry DNA test match between Stephen Parks and CPH. Their MRCA are the Great grandparents of Stephen E Parks. Predicated relationship reported by AncestryDNA: 2nd cousin based on sharing 5% DNA, 328cM on 13segments. Verified by paper trail.

Gedmatch M652118, Harold: Largest segment = 31.3 cM Total Half-Match segments (HIR) 83.4cM (2.326 Pct) Estimated number of generations to MRCA = 3.74 shared segments.

Maternal

Relationship confirmed with an AncestryDNA test match between Stephen E Parks and DM. Their MCRA are the Great Grandparents of Stephen E Parks. Predicted relationship reported by AncestryDNA: 2nd cousin, 4% shared DNA: 275cM on 15 segments. Verified by paper trail.

Relationship confirmed with an Ancestry DNA test match between Stephen Parks and RG. Their MRCA are the Great grandparents of Stephen E Parks. Predicated relationship reported by AncestryDNA: 2nd cousin 2X removed based on sharing 3% DNA, 212cM on 10 segments. Verified by paper trail.

OF INTEREST

GERMANNA https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Germanna%2C_Virginia_One_Place_Study

MY FAMILY & RESEARCH NOTES

A family sketch by Steve Parks Updated Feb 23, 2023

As I attempt to write these memoirs or short sketches of my life, I remember reading about a fourth grand uncle, William Justice Parks' comments written in 1865-1873. "I feel like I wish to beguile the sad hours that I am now passing through by leaving in this book as a sort of legacy in common to you all some facts in relation to our family connections that may possibly interest you in the future. Especially do I wish to leave on record a faithful unvarnished history of myself and others intimately connected with me. Do not, however, look for a full history of an uneventful life, but merely a relation of such facts as memory and inclination may call up and that I may think you will be most interested in. First, let me give you a little sketch of our ancestors as far as I can recall what I have gathered from "the old folks" who are now dead and gone.”

For more on our Ancestors please go to Family Search.org and enter my current ID LKQ3-RV6, or to Wikitree and enter my ID Parks-1168, both sites are free. My Ancestry tree ID is SteveEParks called Parks and Berg it is the most current.

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/103974718/person/420034981984/media/540c1f6b-a9f0-476c-9c62-bd9b28919e16?_phsrc=wJu1&usePUBJs=true&galleryindex=6&sort=-created

When I was a small child, my Daddy told me that he picked me up in his arms during Sunday morning church service as the preacher gave his sermon and carried me up the aisle while I was screaming, "Daddy, don't spake me, Daddy don't spake me." It must have made an impression on my father as he recalled the story to me several times later in life.

The last time my Dad took the belt to me was around 1958. I had not come directly home from school, as I usually did. I can recall the emotions now, almost seventy years later. I was taken to the garage on Abilene street and whipped with the broad belt of my Dad. This time, I didn't cry and didn't feel I had done anything wrong. It was the last time he beat me and the first time I stood up to him. I remember him saying, "someday, you will leave us and not come back." That never happened. I hated him at times but never stopped loving him.

I remember one Christmas, Daddy had a gift for my nephew, Robbie. It was a picture of a bicycle, and Robbie wanted a bike. Thinking the bike was outside, he ran out to find it, and my Dad laughed and said, "Robbie, if you work hard enough, you'll be able to afford to buy one for yourself." At that moment, my heart broke for Robbie, and I was so disappointed in my Dad.

Daddy did have a good side, he loved my mother and us in his way. He coached the Little League baseball games and enjoyed spending time with the boys on the team. He loved teaching how to box, fight, and play baseball and loved sports. However, he always told me I threw the baseball like a girl. Gerald, my 16 months older brother, was his favorite and liked sports better than I did.

We were very close emotionally but very different. For the most, we got along as kids, quarreling over small things but never anything serious. However, our quarreling was an excuse for our Daddy to get out the boxing gloves. He would make us fight so we could "work out our problems." Gerald and I would pretend to hurt each other. Fortunately, we worked out a scheme. Immediately Gerald's nose would bleed if I hit him lightly, so that was always our plan.

For the most part, we were children to be seen and not heard. Our Daddy was very proud of us but strict in every way. He insisted on us working with him in his plumbing business and learning a trade. Gerald and I eventually got our journeyman plumbing licenses at a very young age; we worked on many projects in Borger and the surrounding areas and even plumbed a school in Guymon, Oklahoma, by ourselves.

Mother worked at the A & W Root Beer Drive Inn and the Borger Cedar Lane Cafeteria. She ran these businesses, sewed and mended our clothes, managed to get us to church, bible school, and all the Little League games, and drove me when I had a date. She worked hard and was always fair and generous with her employees; they all loved her.

The family was essential for both my parents. My mother helped care for my paternal grandfather until he became too ill. My Dad's parents lived in Morse, Texas, and retired very early from the royalties of the land they both had inherited from their parents. My grandmother, Cora Elizabeth Mathews Parks, did not leave her property to her son and daughter. Instead, she left her estate to her favorite nephew, Ray Alexander. I can only imagine how hurt they were, and in some odd way, it helps me understand who my Dad was and how his parents shaped his life.

Mother made sure we spent time with both sets of grandparents. Edna Marie Berg was born on January 21, 1918, in Casper, Wyoming, the daughter of Eddie Berg and Anna Marie Dotson. The family moved to Lafors, Texas, before she was ten. At eighteen, she married Gordon Isaac Parks on June 11, 1936, probably in Lafors. They lived in the High Plains of Texas (Sunray and Spearman), finally settling in Borger, Texas.

There were four children, including me: Dolores Ann Parks was born on October 13, 1937, in Dumas, Moore, Texas. She married William "Dub" Henry Dorsett January 25, 1958, in Borger, Texas. Her son James Edward was adopted as an infant, born on February 27, 1965. Dub and Dolores divorced around 1980.

She married William Justice Horton on November 30, 1991, in Bexar, Texas. Her son died unexpectedly at Dolores and Bill's home in New Braunfels, Texas, on February 27, 2016. Dolores was ill for a few months before she died. She had many tests and chemo treatments, and she died of a rare disease called Wegener's granulomatosis, with respiratory failure on July 23, 2017. Bill died of leukemia on January 29, 2018 and was buried with military honors at San Antonio in the Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Gerald Gordon Parks was born on August 2, 1942, in Dumas, Texas. During college at Texas Tech in Lubbock, he married Deanne Louise Carpenter in 1965 from Borger, Texas. Mother met Deanna first and was very excited that her son would marry her (Deanna worked at the A & W Root Beer Drive Inn, which my mother owned). They adopted Deanna's two boys and had two more boys together.

I was born on November 29, 1943, at Moore County Hospital, Dumas, Texas. About 1950, we resided at Sunray, Texas, and I started school there. I attended grade school at Weatherly, Stephen F Austin junior high, and Borger High School, all in Borger. I also spent two years at Frank Phillips Jr. College in Borger, Hutchinson, Texas, USA.

In 1965, I went to the University of Texas, Austin, for the first time living away from home (except for a summer in Guymon, Oklahoma), learned little, played lots, and was sexually out for the first time. I transferred to West Texas State for horticulture curriculum, and lived with my mother in Borger. Previously I had lived briefly with Phyllis and Bill in Plainview, Texas where I helped in their Greenhouse and Nursery business.

After junior college, I moved to California, where my Berg grandparents and sister lived. About 1967, my sister Dolores and her husband lived about an hour's drive from the college. I stayed with them for almost a year while going to Cal Poly, Pomona. I later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree (Accounting and minor in Ornamental Horticulture) in Business Administration from Cal Poly in 1968.

At 24, I started a landscape company and moved from my sister’s to Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach. In 1970, I worked as a real estate agent for Turner Associates in Laguna Beach until 1978. Jean Patterson and I started Patterson/Parks Real Estate in 1978 with up to 35 agents, operating until 1995 in Laguna Beach, CA. The office was on the corner of Oak St. and Glenneyre Street.

In 1996, I teamed up with my friend Darlyne Woodward at Nolan First Team Real Estate in Laguna Beach, CA, until 2009.

In terms of employment, I worked at Borger Plumbing & Heating and Kieth Plumbing & Heating in Borger, Texas, in 1955 and 1961, respectively. I also worked at an Austin surveyor company in 1964, Acacia Nursery in Westminster, CA, in 1965, Bolsa Chica Nursery in Huntington Beach, CA, in 1968, and Goodwill Industries in Garden Grove, CA, in 1971 creating gardening service program employing those with learning disabilities or were handicapped..

I held several licenses, including a Journeyman Plumbers License in Texas in 1960, Landscape Contractor C21 in 1969, a Real Estate salesman license in 1972, and a Real Estate broker license in 1974.

Lived in several properties, including owning Casa Laguna Inn and other residential and investment properties in Laguna Beach, CA. In 2009, I resided in Laguna Beach and lived in Palm Springs off and on with second homes from 1971-2013. A 100-year-old pueblo house in Rancho de Taos and a condo in Taos, New Mexico, USA from 1985-1995, and several properties in San Diego, California, USA.

Employment: 1955 Borger Plumbing & Heating, Borger, Texas 1961 Kieth Plumbing & Heating, Borger, Texas 1964 Austin Surveyor Co. Austin, Texas 1965 Acacia Nursery, Westminster, CA 1968 Bolsa Chica Nursery, Huntington Beach, CA 1969 Steve Parks Landscaping, Inc. Huntington Beach, CA 1971 Goodwill Industries, Garden Grove, CA 1972 Dorene Richmond Realty, Laguna Beach, CA 1973 Turner Associates Real Estate, Laguna Beach, CA 1978 Patterson/Parks Real Estate, Laguna Beach, CA 1995 Nolan/First Team Real Estate, Laguna Beach, CA 2009 Steve Parks, Broker (retired) Licenses: Journeyman Plumbers License Texas 1960 Landscape Contractor C21 1969 Real Estate salesman license 1972 Real Estate broker license 1974
 Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration Major in Accounting minor in Ornamental Horticulture Cal Poly in 1968 


Residences lived: Numbers spreadsheet

KITTY SUE PARKS Kitty Sue Parks was born on November 10, 1946, in Amarillo, Potter, Texas. She married William Robert Gaiser and had one child, "Robbie" William Robert Gaiser II. Kitty Sue died on June 29, 1985, in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas. She died from a one-car accident speeding on a Texas highway late at night, hitting a grove of trees, and dying at the hospital. Kitty married Robert Gaiser on February 22, 1964. Their only child Robert was killed in a traffic accident in San Antonio, Texas, on February 14, 1984. Robbie died following his high school graduation night.

MOTHER My mother had a close relationship with her parents, often traveling with her young children from Texas to California, where visits were always unique. The vacation trips usually included stop-overs at Farmington, New Mexico, to visit her sister-in-law, Sibyl Parks Alexander's family. The Parks and Alexander families remain close because of the childhood memories formed during the trips.

My parents created a loving family environment, primarily focused on church and hard work. She had the A & W Drive Inn and operated the Cafeteria at Cedar Lanes bowling alley, a favorite place in Borger. She was the bookkeeper for her husband's business, Borger Plumbing and Heating, co-owned by her brother Phillip E. Berg.

She still found time to enjoy playing dominoes and canasta. Her hobbies were baking and sewing. She made her daughter's wedding dresses and even a white sports coat for me. They bought and fixed up homes; this was a particular joy for my mom; she liked working with her hands, and you could find her re-tiling a bathroom or painting the molding in a room. Always busy!

The holiday social activities usually revolved around Parks reunions in Lieb, Texas, and there were many in that extended family. There were also regular social gatherings after Sunday church and Wednesday night prayer meetings.

Mother endured many things in her life, but she had a strong faith through it all. She pulled a boiling pot of water from the stove and burned herself as a child, sustaining third-degree burns on her lap. As an adult, she endured a severe operation to remove a football-size tumor from her stomach. But still, she was always loving, always told her kids, "If you can't say something nice, don't say it!" and always supported her friends, co-workers, and family.

She cared for her father-in-law in her home, but eventually, he needed hospice care.

In 1972, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and died on December 18, 1978. Mother is buried next to her husband at Westlawn Memorial Park in Borger, Texas.

FATHER "G. I." or "Parky," Gordon Isaac Parks was born April 28, 1911, in Lefors, Gray, Texas, USA, The first child of William Roscoe Parks and Cora Elizabeth Mathews. Sibyl Drucilla Parks (Alexander)was his younger sister.

He was a deacon in the First Baptist Church. Mother always saw that her children had something new to wear for Easter Sunday church services. "G.I." or "Parky" was well-liked and joked with everyone. He was, however, a hard taskmaster.

Daddy lived in the Hutchinson and Moore Counties in Texas from 1920-1962. He owned and operated plumbing companies between 1948-1962 in Dumas and Borger, Hutchinson, Texas. They were always buying houses; we moved at least ten times between 1950-1962.

In later years they enjoyed life, spending time with their daughter Dolores in Samata, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia. Finally, they enjoyed camping and fishing on Lake Powell, Arizona.

Daddy was a widow on December 18, 1978, in Borger, Hutchinson, Texas, USA. At 68, Gordon married Jean Malone on June 2, 1979, in Burnet, Texas. When he was 70, he married Gladys M Reynolds on June 6, 1981, in Burnet, Texas. When he was 71, he married Velma Ashcraft on November 14, 1982, in Round Mountain, Blanco, Texas. Later marriages result from trying to find happiness and not be alone.

Gordon Isaac Parks and Gladys M Reynolds had no children. Gordon Isaac Parks and Velma Ashcraft had no children. Gordon Isaac Parks and Jean Malone had no children.

Mother's debilitating disease of ALS overshadowed Daddy's last seven years. He was supportive and loving during this horrible time for the family. On July 27, 1985, we buried him at West Lawn Memorial Park in Borger, Texas. He did not fight for life after developing lymphatic cancer. His cause of death was cardiopulmonary collapse. He died at King's Daughter Hospital, Temple, Texas, on July 25, 1985.

SISTER’S FUNERAL I asked Michael Parks to read this at Dolores's funeral.

• I may need your help.

People ask me how old my sister was. But I think they are asking a more complimentary question, "How LONG was her life, did she have a GOOD life?" Dolores did have a long good life! She was our big sister, and she loved that role - always right, always had an opinion, rarely changed her mind, but available to help if she could. Dolores helped me with my education, and I lived with her when I went to college. Dolores also helped me find my first job in California. She even worked as my secretary when I had a landscape company. She was always there for me. Well, most of the time. (pause) It did take her a while to accept my life—but she came around, allowing Michael into her life. His nursing skills seemed to trump whatever I offered. We all grew up together—my four sisters, Gerald, and me. We lived near each other— if not just across the street during our childhoods, creating a solid family bond essential to us all. Probably the most important thing.

Well,—I had two sisters, I lost Kitty Sue in 1985, and I have called Phyllis and Joan my other sisters, but actually, they are first cousins from my mother's brother. Everyone knows how Dolores and Phyllis empowered each other. They were unstoppable. It will be hard for Phyllis and us not to see them together. Joan, Gerald, and I are a few years younger, and most were "in the way" growing up around Phyllis and Dolores. But we all managed to grow and stay connected. Now in our long lives, we remain as strong as ever. Dolores "Lo" always wanted a family, a son or daughter, and Lo tried for a long time. Finally, she decided to adopt a baby. "an instant baby boy!" I remember the first time I met Jimmy. He was about 18 inches long and adorable. Dolores brought him to the house just a few days after she got him. She wanted him to learn how to swim. "Why not the Russians toss their babies in the pool at birth, and they learn." Jimmy learned to swim—even though we were all nervous wrecks. Jimmy was a happy kid, and Dolores gave him her full attention. She loved Jimmy unconditionally 'til his last breath.

She cared for all the family- worrying or upset about this or that! But you knew you were important to her. Still excited about the new marriage, the new babies, or the new job.

Dolores's long life centered around travel and new experiences. She lived in California, Colorado, Connecticut, San Antonio, Texas Hill County, Tripoli, Libya, and Sumatra, Indonesia, where she traveled to many exotic places. One of my favorite photos is of Jimmy riding a Camel. I think it must have been in Egypt that she became the world's best traveler—and shopper. In Indonesia, Jimmy's pet was a monkey.

Dolores invited our parents to visit her. Mother was diagnosed with ALS. She wanted to see as much as she could as soon as possible. — Lo was an excellent tour guide.

Gerald, Deanna, and I used to worry a lot about Dolores. We were so concerned about her, and we felt Lo should invest in our Dad's house—she should buy it from us—our share—and have it as an investment. Good idea, we thought—until the flood in Marble Falls washed it away. So much for the brotherly advice.

Soon after Lo met Bill, a lovely, long 26 years romance began. THANK YOU, Bill, for caring about, caring for, and loving our Dolores.

Delois "Dee" Dorsett, my girlfriend in the 4th grade and a friend for life, is also sister to Dolores' first husband. Delois is an essential member of our family and never misses an important event. Dee also lost a sibling this week. Her brother, Leeland, passed away. Dee, I know Lo loved you and always wanted you in her life. Thank you.

Dolores has passed the role of leader of the Parks Family now to Deanna. Gerald's beautiful wife raised four beautiful boys, supported her grandchildren, and has been a steady rock all these years. Somehow I know Dolores knew we would be in good hands.

• Steve's nephew Michael Edward Parks delivered the eulogy at Dolores's funeral. Eulogy from a Brother

Robin at Dolores's Funeral Hello, I'm Robin Thomas, Phyllis's daughter.

My memories return to pictures of my brother working at Aunt Edna's A & W in Borger, Texas. The Parks and Bergs were always getting together to celebrate something.

One of my fondest childhood memories was when I was in California, and my mom took me to visit Aunt Lo and Jimmy. Jimmy was tiny then, and I can remember the fun we had. As years passed and we grew up, people moved around. Lo was always near my mom. Lo was part of our conversations, even if just a phone call. When Lo married Bill, everyone thought they were such a cute couple. You could see the love they had for each other and still do. And once again, the Bergs and the Parks were there to help Aunt Lo celebrate her wedding.

We may not see each other as often as we should when we are together, but we can spend hours catching up. Years passed, and my generation began having children; they all knew Aunt Lo. A memory my son Cody has is of when my mom and Aunt Lo were very politically involved. Cody was a page for the convention held in San Antonio. We were waiting for Bill and Aunt Lo to show up, and she came with this big bag with a pillow and a blanket.

Anywhere she went, she was going to be comfortable. Cody and I thought she was moving in. And she always had the most oversized mug of water with her where ever she went.

We had Thanksgiving one year at Aunt Lo's and Bill's; she had a dog Barney that climbed trees the kids thought was neat. My kids would talk about how fancy Thanksgiving was and that the Priest was even there. I don't think they knew how to act in front of him. Usually, when you are in church, you don't run around, so they were very calm.

She had the most beautiful skin, and I would tell my kids she protected herself from the sun. They should remember how beautiful she always looked and remember to wear sunscreen.

I know many of you will remember the Christmas letter she would send out each year. I couldn't wait to hear about her year and where her travels had taken her and Bill. My favorite year was when she got left behind at the stop they had made and had to wait until Bill realized she was gone and came back to get her. I will miss those Christmas letters.

When my mom, Aunt Lo, and I were out shopping or dining, people would come up to one of them and start talking as if they were the other. They would kindly listen and say, oh, you think I'm my cousin? They would laugh it off. My mom and Aunt Lo spoke weekly, if not every day. They were there for each other. Lo never said an unkind word about anyone; she always saw the good in people.

Once again, the Bergs and Parks are together again, but let us remember Lo's smile, and her happiness., and celebrate her life. I will close with a poem:

Our lives go on without you. But nothing is the same. We have to hide our heartache When someone speaks your name Sad are the hearts that love you Silent are the tears that fall Living without you is the hardest part of all You did so many things for us Your heart was so kind and true And when we needed someone We could always count on you The special years will not return When we are all together But with love in our hearts You walk with us forever

EMAIL TO COUSIN A part of an email sent to Leslei Alexander on August 5, 2022 My brother just turned 80, so oh my gosh, and I am just behind him, but we both are healthy and are good. I want to share this little story about him. Gerald is such a wonderful brother; years ago, I helped him with some problems, and we ended up buying several houses together in Texas, and lo and behold, 44 years later, we are just now selling them. My best partnership ever! Dianna and Gerald had two boys & he adopted her two boys. One died last year from Huntington's disease complications; the others are doing well, fortunately. They are all close and share their lives. It is wonderful to watch from afar, and they include Michael and me when we talk or are together.

Unfortunately, my mold was made years ago to be a good uncle or close to the niece and nephews. I am in their lives but not there physically, which changes the relationships.

For many years when being gay was a closeted thing -habits and survival techniques of hiding one's life have had their effect. Dolores, my sister, and my close Berg cousins did many harsh and hurtful things, many times not knowing it. I was a coward not to confront them -afraid of losing them permanently, thus living in a closet and not fully sharing our lives. It was much like holding back and not letting them in thoroughly. Gerald & Deanna, we're always accepting, as was my younger sister Kitty. With Dolores and Phyllis, I later pretended all was fine, and they did accept my life even though, in their opinion, I was going to hell. Their flawed thinking finally didn't hurt me anymore. At the end of Dolores's life, we healed as best as we could. I never told my parents I was gay, but they must have known, but I did my Grandmother Berg, as she was a tender soul.

I am mentioning this to share how important your love is! I am so thrilled we re-connected. I hope our family learns to treat everyone the same and love unconditionally. In today's world, I worry about what can happen to those in the minority.

ALEXANDER FAMILY We also lost Kenneth Alexander last year on June 12, 2017. He was born on September 10, 1942. I wrote this for the memorial: So much of what we experience early in life comes back to us, and flood memories with those old experiences are the case with my dear cousin Kenneth. I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas, Kenneth, in New Mexico. Still, we all gathered at our Grandparents' home in Morse, Texas, on special occasions such as reunions, holidays, and funerals. The Parksʼ also took regular road trips to Tucumcari and Farmington, New Mexico, and the Alexandersʼ made frequent trips to Borger, Texas. We explored the lands, rode horses, swam in the cattleʼs watering hole and mossy cooling troughs, and had the best times of our lives without a care in the world. Kenneth was always the cowboy.

We have a fantastic photo of Kenneth, my brother Gerald and I standing in front of a store, taking on the town, the toy guns, and the attitude to boot. I donʼt think Kenneth stopped being the genuine cowboy he was born to be. Even now, I remember those early days filled with excitement, adventure, and fun. Kenneth helped teach Gerald and me how to ride a horse, learn how to stay in a saddle, show us how to make the horse gallop, and learn to enjoy it. Kenneth, looking back, gave us the confidence to feel okay playing outdoors—like cowboys. Although I always wanted to be Geronimo. Getting a little older, I remember distinctly having to hunt with Grandpa and with his 22 gauge rifle—— and the poor rabbit! Peer pressure, but I never ate the rabbit! After that, I only went with a bow and arrows, and then it was just to hit a target, not a rabbit. I remember that Kenneth never made fun of or ridiculed me. He wasnʼt a bully, wasnʼt a macho man, was just a nice guy—and a great cousin.

Overall, we had a blast in the Texas panhandle's dry grasslands and the beautiful canyons among the New Mexico landscapes. Christmas was exceptional, we all gathered in the Morse Gymnasium, and Santa Claus visited us. Santa had a gift for us all; such magic in those days. We saw Santa flying high in the sky over the school rooftops. Years later, we joked about how we truly believed what we thought we saw — such a beautiful childhood innocence. When Kenneth and I reminisced (which, turns out, wasnʼt often enough), we always brought up those things. It thrilled me that he felt the same about those beautiful innocent times. We all learned to appreciate our Grandparents as we got older and realized how special they were to creating these memories and the sense of bonding in the Alexander and Parks families. Stories of growing up are such a part of us we can't help but have flashbacks of the joyous times we all had. Our grandparents let us into their lives wholeheartedly. They included us in all their events, even their adult games. Some 60 or so years later, I play those same games and activities, playing hand and foot, a modern version of canasta, Chinese checkers, and chicken foot, a current version of dominoes. Perhaps it is to hold onto the beautiful memories of playing those same games with my cousins and grandparents. I hope so! Thank you, Kenneth, for being such a kind, loving cousin, your smile and memory will always be with us. Love, Steve

Ray Alexander "Morse, Texas - Hansford County Justice made a ruling of accidental death today of the Peace J.P. Vernon in the shooting death of 34-year-old Ray Alexander, a Morse farmer who was found dead at his grandfather's home in Morse about 5 p.m. Thursday. A family member called the family physician and Hansford County Sheriff J.C. Cooke of Spearman after finding Alexander and a .243 caliber rifle near the body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by J.P. Vernon, and they took the body to Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, Spearman, where funeral arrangements are pending". Authorities said Alexander was cleaning the rifle when it discharged, fatally wounding him. Assisting in the investigation were Deputies R.L. McFarlin and Lee Phillips. (Published in Borger News-Herald, Friday, June 26, 1970) SPEARMAN - Funeral services for Ray Alexander, 34, the victim of an accidental shooting, were held Saturday in Morse Community Church with the Rev. Heall Beunyon, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Jack Tuter of Morse First Baptist Church. Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors directed burial in Lieb Cemetery. Authorities said Alexander was cleaning a rifle when it discharged, fatally wounding him. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen; two sons, Cody and Ricky, and two daughters, Becky and Leslei, all of the home in Morse; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Alexander of Farmington, N.M.; four brothers, one sister, and his grandfathers, W.R. Parks of Morse, and O.C. Alexander of Phillips. (Published in Borger News-Herald, Sunday, June 28, 1970) Death Date: June 25, 1970, Death Place: Morse, Hansford, Texas, USA. Date of Birth May 5, 1935. A family member committed it was suicide.

Gretchen and the four children inherited the Mathews's land and sold the inheritance years later. Gretchen remarried but soon divorced and took the children to live in Alaska, where the descendants live. Fortunately, Leslei Alexander contacted me via a match of our DNA. We are hopeful this generation heals past generations' discourse, and cousins can enjoy their shared family bond.

Jerry Alexander is to be added

BERG FAMILY

BERG GRANDPARENTS Our Grandparents gave Joan and me their two old 1950's Hudson cars. Gerald helped me drive mine back to Texas. What an adventure that was for both of us. It was great going to the drive-in theater with everyone.

My Grandparents would send us a package from California full of avocados and citrus; it was such a wonderful gift and a treasure to receive. I think it might be one reason I have always wanted to live in California. They were a loving couple, devoted to each other. Grandpa had two real estate offices, one in Bonsai and one in Fallbrook, and he was partly responsible for gett water to the De Luz area. He sold land that was perfect for citrus and avocados. In his later years, he started growing them too. 


Wednesday, January 31, 2018, was a beautiful day for a drive, so Michael and I ventured down to Fallbrook, CA., to see my grandparent's gravesite. Amazingly, I had not been there for forty years. Shame on me. I have such fond memories of them.

Fallbrook has changed, but just being there triggered a flood of memories. My grandparents give me and my cousin Joan our first cars. I was turning 16, and my brother and I drove the '55 Hudson back to Texas.

I remember when Grandpa cosigned a loan for me. I remember Grandma's gardens, geese, and ducks; she was a natural gardener. She loved animals and was loved by her friends and family. These are just a few things, but probably my favorite thing was the once-a-year basket of fruits and avocados that would magically arrive in the mail. When I was very young, gifts came at Christmas, usually a big truck or something fun. We visited with my grandparents, even though we were in Texas, and they were in California. Our driving trips across the county were unique and created the seed to move and live in California. I will always cherish these and other memories of loving and special grandparents.

Eddie Berg (Stephen's grandfather) was born on August 3, 1893, in Hay Springs, Sheridan, Nebraska, 69347, to _____(see Notes below) and Matilda Millie Berg. After 1947, when older than 54, Eddie resided in California, USA. About 1951, aged about 57, he had a real estate license in 1960 approx., Fallbrook, San Diego, California, USA. Eddie died on April 12, 1978, aged 84, in Sun City, Riverside, California, USA. Eddie was buried at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery, 1177 Santa Margarita Dr, Fallbrook, San Diego, California, 92028. 
The following information is for Eddie. Registration Card in 1951, aged about 57, in San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Notes: John Berg's 1900 Census has Eddie Berg living in the household as a nephew, showing Eddie (Edward) having a father born in Ireland, and a mother from Sweden. Alfred is from Sweden. Census shows the father from Ireland, Dawes, Nebraska. Dave Berg's 1910 Census has Eddie Berg living in the household as a nephew. Found in the Hay Springs Library at the Nebraska State Historical Society Archives, shown in the family portrait, they lived in antelope Precinct, Dawes Co, NE. Another source shows Millie was not married when Eddie was born: Nebraska Gravestone.org, Pleasant Hill Cemetery. 1900, aged about 6, John Berg's census states Eddie is a nephew 1910, age about 16, Dave Berg's census states Eddie is a nephew, 1920, age about 26, he resided at Casper, Natrona, Wyoming. 1930, aged about 36, Eddie lived at Lefors, Gray, Texas. 1935, aged about 41, he resided in Rural, Moore, Texas. 1940, April 1, aged 46, he lived in Moore, Texas, USA 1942, San Francisco, CA 2441 Gough St 1948, Los Angeles, CA 1430 E 56th St. 1950, San Francisco, CA work: Bethlehem Steel 1951, Fallbrook, CA 1965, De Luz Rd, 40192 Daily Rd. 1978, Sun City, Riverside, CA (death)

JOAN BERG AND DAUGHTER We lost Terri Mike Curry (Toman) on February 19, 2016. She was born on September 18, 1962. Terri fought hard, but brain cancer took her life, devasting her family of Kimberley, Justin, and John. Their lives have not been easy, previously losing their home to one of the Houston floods, but the family has a strong bond. Terri was in the real estate business. Kimberley graduated from college in 2019.

Wendy L. Brown was born December 17, 1959, in Borger, Texas; she married Gary S McFarland on September 26, 1981, in Montgomery, Texas; they divorced on August 12, 1992. Kyle Ross, their son, was born December 18, 1987, in Harris, Texas. Wendy is in the real estate business.

Born May 15, 1968, Pamela Kay King married John Connelly IV on May 24, 2003, and divorced in 2017-2018. They have two twin daughters, Payton Elizabeth and Addyson Marie, born on January 27, 2007. Pam has been diagnosed with MS but enjoys her life and travels worldwide with her daughters. On October 7, 1988, Pam married Steven T White; they divorced on December 9, 1996. Pam sold automobiles at a car agency before marrying John. She moved into her new home in 2019.

PHYLLIS- RICK AND ROBIN

PARKS GRANDPARENTS William Roscoe Parks and Cora Elizabeth Mathews Many women of this era were addicted to dipping snuff rather than smoking. My grandmother gave the grandchildren the task of searching for Devil's Claw in the local prairie or pasture; she used the weed's stem as her dipping tool. Both grandparents inherited land in the high plains from their parents. Either the railroad companies or oil and gas companies leased the property. After his grandmother's death, we discovered she had transferred her land to Ray; her grandson, Gordon, and Sibyl, her children, were divested and hurt by her actions after Ray died from a rifle shot. Ironically when Sibyl died, she gave her only daughter her estate, thus alienating her sons. The older siblings were estranged—more on this under Ray's section.

Parks Family land William Henry died in 1919, and Lorena Adella Dansby Parks died after 1937 .....1860, William H. was born near Decatur, Mississippi, orphan at 8. .....1879 married Lorena Adella Dansby in Newton Co. Miss. …..1880 Hiram Nathan was born December 1, 1880, in Newton County, Mississippi. Lena was born, and Isom died. ....1885, Moved to Jack County, Texas, in an ox cart. Roscoe was born. ....1886 moved to Hurst Springs in Coryell Co., with eight more children being born. ....1904 William H. and Lorena Adella Dansby arrived in Channing, Tx., and purchased three sections near Pringle. The family had been living in Coryell Co., .....1905 Jan. build & moved to a new home in Pringle, Hutchinson Co. .....William Park and Mr. Pike built The Parksdale School. William Henry Parks Sr. and Lorena Adella Dansby owned three sections owned by 1904, 1,920 acres in Pringle, Texas (Hutchinson County) …..1909, Hiram dug a half dugout on his father's place, plowed the land, and helped lay out Lieb Cemetery. .....1918 Father (William H.) died of a flu epidemic. .....1920 Lorena Adella deeded 160 (1,920 acres) to each of the children; 12 out of 14 children were alive in 1920. She moved to Morris, then Marlin, in 1933, and 1937, to Waco. HTTPS://www.google.com/maps/@35.9134871,-101.5107866,10938m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en ..... before 1929, William Roscoe had a house in Morse and a grocery store.

Many siblings of William Roscoe Parks wrote a sketch/story of their pioneer days; they are on Ancestry.com (PDF 58 pages of family members experience growing up in Texas)

Mathews' land Jacob Mathews was from Georgia, favoring the North ideology, enlisting in the Union army, though his brothers were in the southern army. He died in 1926, and Amanda Sheffield, his wife, died in 1946. In 1879 Cora's mother moved from Georgia to Young Co. Jacob and Amanda engaged in farming and cattle raising and also operated a general merchandise store in Finis, Young Co., Tx. Many of the citizens abandoned the area during the American Civil War due to Indian depredations. In 1865 the county's government and records were dissolved and transferred to Jacksboro. The county was reorganized in 1874 to Jacksboro. They moved to Hutchinson Co. by covered wagon; the family settled in Northern Hansford Co. Jacob purchased 640 acres from the railroad company's handwritten long document deed of trust agreement in 1908.

Case # 1235, Estate of Cora E Parks 3/25/80, will date June 11, 1952, regarding section 72 bk 5-T & No RR survey, Abstract 900 certificate 301558, a copy of probate vol. 456, page 468 Hutchinson Co. clerk office, regarding Wm Roscoe estate too.

Many Parks, Mathews, and other family members are at Lieb Cemetery near Morse, Texas. This cemetery has 32 Parks family members, 9 Mathews, plus Womble and Pike family members buried just a few miles outside Morse, Texas. During the 1950' family reunions were held at his site.

http://sites.rootsweb.com/~txhutchi/lieb.html

DOTSON Philip Sheridan Dotson: Obituary The Napa Journal, January 4, 1946, page 6, column Philip S. Dodson, 79, a native of Missouri, died at his Napa home on Friday after a lengthy illness. He had resided in Napa for the past two years. Survivors are his wife and the following children: Mrs. Axel Olson, Borger, Texas; Mrs. Eddie Berg, Canoga Park, Calif.; Lloyd Dotson, Napa; Gilbert Dotson, San Diego; Mrs. Harold Swallow, Denver; Wilma Dotson, San Diego; Mrs. Glenn Blair, Hay Springs, Neb.; Phillip Dotson, Hay Springs; Mrs. E. C. Allen, Omaha, Neb.; Norman Lee Dotson, Napa; and one sister, Cora Barker, Wilmothville. Fifteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren also survive. ….from Betty Dotson Renick, Facebook adm. I know you all like stories, so here is a newspaper article about Philip found in a Valentine, Nebraska, newspaper on May 7, 1908. Somehow, this sounds like a Dotson to me! (Philip is Anna M Dotson Berg's father)

Strong Men May Wrestle P. S. Dotson was in town Saturday and showed himself to be a giant in strength. He held out at arm's length a 14-pound sledge hammer at the end of a long handle. The iceman, Reigle, who has also shown considerable strength, held out the sledge at arm's length, and there was a spirit of rivalry between them. Reigle wrestles some, and so does Dotson, and it was rumored that they get together for a wrestling match. It will be worth seeing. We'd rather see it than a professional match if it's going to be. Mr. Dotson is from Missouri, and they'll have to show him if they think they can put him on his back. There are plenty of fellows, tho, who will stake the iceman.

SOURCES Parks http://www.parke.org/ The Parke Society A membership-based organization committed to helping Parks/Parke families with their genealogy search. Password required #1596 Shiloh, lifetime membership.

Dotson family website of importance; http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wvpioneers/genealogy/Ancestor%20Stories.html https://nuggetsmum.tribalpages.com/tribe/browse? FACEBOOK: Descendants of Richard Dotson. Descendants of Richard Dotson 1752-1847 - Family Tree contacts: Betty Renick Dotson and Cathie Dotson

Hollingsworth family Newton County Genealogical and http://www.nchgs.org/index.html

Berg family in Sweden; courtesy of Bengt Ericsson, http://test.ericssons.one/ email: in contacts

Mathews family history: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth20204/citation/?q=parks#liscences-permissions

DNA on several online sites FTDNA, Gedmatch, My Heritage, 23 and Me, Wikitree, Ancestry.

A298211 kit number Family Tree Maker B67294 Gedmatch name: Stephen Parks, Kit Number A298211

ANCESTRY.com:Profile Stephen Parks SteveEParks site:https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/103974718/person/420034976077/facts

Family Search; Stephen Parks password; _____ https://familysearch.org

DIGIAL AFTERLIFE

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