Kenneth Reid Parks CHARLOTTE - Kenneth Reid Parks, 72, of Charlotte, N.C. passed away of cancer on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, at Matthews Presbyterian Hospital. He was born in Charlotte, on March 2, 1941. He was one of three children of the late William B. Parks and Sadie Hagler Parks. Mr. Parks is survived by his wife, Barbara Helms Parks of Charlotte, a son, Kenneth Reid Parks, Jr. of Charlotte, and his wife, Scott R. Trotter of Durham, N.C.; a brother, Boyce G. Parks and wife, Donna and a sister-in-law, Rebecca R. Parks. He was preceded in death by a brother, William B. Parks, Jr. Mr. Parks graduated from Harding High School in 1959. He attended Wingate University and then attended and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1966. He served in the United States Army and was a member of Idlewild A.R.P. Church. Mr. Parks' passion was entrepreneurial ventures, and for the past 17 years he was the business owner of Direct Health, Inc. Mr. Parks was devoted to his family and friends. He was a very kind and optimistic person and all who knew him loved him. He will be missed dearly. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Parks will be held Saturday, January 4th, 2014 at 2 P.M. in the sanctuary of Glenwood A.R.P. Church, 5024 Freedom Drive in Charlotte. The family will greet friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Burial will be private. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the charity of one's choice .