Dr. Clarence D. Parks, V.M.D., 97, of Varden, Wayne County, died
Wednesday evening at home. His wife of 69 years, the former
Martha Shotwell, died in 2003.
Born in Susquehanna County, son of the late Robert D. and
Mildred Pooler Parks, he was graduate of Susquehanna High School
and a 1933 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of
Veterinary Medicine, where he received his medical degree. He
moved to Wayne County to practice as a horse doctor and treated
farm horses. In the late 1930s, as farms shifted to using
tractors, he changed his practice to accommodate dairy farms. In
the 1960s, many small dairy farms were forced to close for
economic reasons, and he closed his vet practice. He became a
state medical inspector for dairy herds. He did this for 20
years and retired in 1985 at age of 74, after 51 years of
service to the farming community of Wayne County. He was also an
advocate of the Morgan horse and the preservation of its
bloodlines through public service and education.
He enjoyed competitive, 100-mile trail endurance rides in
Vermont, and won at age 33 and again at age 75. He also drove
two-wheeled-carts in 100-mile competitions. He was the first
competitor to drive a horse 1,000 miles in competition.
He was a man of integrity, gentleness, politeness and
professionalism. A keen thinker, he was a man of spirit, good
humor and few words. He was devoted to his love of animals and
to teaching people that animals have many of the feelings and
emotions people possess.
Surviving are a daughter, Sylvia Shaffer and husband, David,
Varden; a son, Lewis and wife, Joan, Glen Aubrey, N.Y.; a
daughter-in-law, Carolyn Parks, Waymart; a brother, Gerald and
wife, Beverly, Susquehanna County; two sisters, Doris Kniskern
and Betty Bell, Cortland, N.Y.; six grandchildren, Jeffrey
Parks, Carla Feringa and husband, Kenneth; Eroh Shaffer and
wife, Karen; Chad Parks and wife, Jessica; Tiffany Shaffer and
Lisa Eldred and husband, Harry; four great-grandchildren; nieces
and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a son, George; and two
brothers, Ivan and Floyd.
A memorial service will be in the spring at Lake Ariel United
Methodist Church. Burial will be in the spring in Canaan Corners
Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Ariel
United Methodist Church, 110 Maple Ave., Lake Ariel, 18436;
Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Road, Honesdale, 18431; or the
National Museum of the Morgan Horse, P.O. Box 700, Shelburne, VT
05482. To leave an online condolence, visit
www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com.
Published in the Scranton Times on 1/26/2009 |
Posted
2007
The following interview with Dr. Clarence D. Parks, DVM was conducted in the
fall of 2006 with his daughter Sylvia Shaffer at his side.
I've also received some help from Linda Baldwin of Baldwin Farms, a
good friend of Dr. Parks that with his blessing has become the
caretaker of the Dyberry prefix.
Undertaking a profile like this
is daunting, as it is impossible to list all of Dr. Park's
contributions and accomplishments. I'll do the best I can to
reflect the passion he has for the Morgan breed, and let him tell
his story in his own words.
Throughout the profile I'll include portions of a story written
by Dr. Parks and his wife Martha, as well as quotes from his
publication "The History Standard Of Perfection & Judging Outline
For The Morgan Horse" published in July of 1952.
It was in that booklet that he wrote "No other type is so well
adapted to the need of the pleasure horse owner as the Morgan.
His beauty, strength, endurance, durability and mental adaptability
are not equaled by any other breed..."
Please join me in thanking Dr. Parks for his commitment to the
Morgan breed for what is now 70 years...
Valerie Low
NYSMHS Club Historian |
