Murel D Parks Sr

Murel D. Parks Sr. 77 of Coshocton, Ohio passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025.

He was born April 21st 1948 in Wooster, Ohio and was the son of the late Dalton C. And Maxine K. Parks.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother Ronald E. Parks and beloved dog Molly.

Murel (Red) enjoyed tinkering with small motors, he loved to fish, and enjoyed spending time with loved ones. Murel was most proud of his service in our United States Army where he enlisted and became a Machine Gunner in CoA 3rd Battalion 21st Infantry 196th Infantry Brigade in March of 1968. He went on to achieve a Parachute Badge, Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar and Marksman Badge w/Automatic Rifle and Machine Gun Bar. He also received the Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His most prestigious medals came and presented by the president of the United States were for his Heroism in Ground Combat on one occasion he left his relatively secure location as a Machine Gunner to crawl into an open terrain under heavy mortar fire from the enemy to bring not one but three fallen friendly soldiers back to a secure location and then on a separate occasion he saved one fallen friendly soldier earning him the Bronze Star and Bronze Star with valor's. He never boasted about his accomplishments or bragged about what he did he rarely spoke of his time in Vietnam and if he did he did so through tears. He also never complained about the lifelong struggles he faced of PTSD, and the effects of Agent Orange that the war would leave him with he was just extremely proud to be a veteran!

Murel will be greatly missed he was a loving father and friend to many he would do anything for any one if you just ask and his absence will truly be missed by the ones who truly knew and loved him.

He is survived by his two Sons Murel D. Parks Jr. And Travis S Parks and two special children in his life Steve and Alice Stockhum, many grandchildren and several great grandchildren, his ex-wife and life long friend Patricia (Parks) McCall and special friend and caregiver Chasity Parks.