Dennis Gerald Parkes

Dennis Gerald Parkes, 76, of California, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at his home. He was born on October 12, 1940 in Barnett, Missouri to Clayton and Alta (Flippin) Parkes, both of whom preceded him in death. In 1961, Dennis graduated from Tipton High School. During some of his elementary school years he lived in New Mexico and Colorado and graduated 8th grade from Latham Elementary. He was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Bittle in New Franklin on June 30, 1962. She survives of the home. While working at Fischer Manufacturing Co. in Tipton, Dennis graduated from Linn Technical School with a degree in Drafting. He also received an Art Degree from the Art Institute of Minnesota. He worked for 25 years at Missouri Vocational Enterprises as a Production Engineer until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He loved playing X-box with his grandchildren. His passion was metal detecting and the Civil War era. For many years, he enjoyed researching for Civil War sites and metal detecting on those sites and finding Civil War artifacts. He has a family letter that was written during the Civil War. He had a vast knowledge of the Civil War. He also enjoyed watching old westerns and reading western books as well as playing golf. Through the years, Dennis and Ruth loved traveling throughout the United States visiting almost every state and several national parks. His favorite places to visit were Hawaii, Colorado and Las Vegas. Dennis dearly loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. His family and friends will miss him very much. Along with his loving wife, Ruth, of 55 years, Dennis is survived by: one daughter, Michelle Wagner (Russell) of Jamestown; five grandchildren, Dustin Parkes (Ashlee), Derick Parkes, all of Centertown, Zachary Parkes-Wagner (Cass) of Clarksville, Tenn., Kylie Wagner of Jamestown and Emily Parkes; one great- granddaughter, Shelby Parkes-Wagner of Clarksville, Tenn.; a sister, Sharon Davidson of Kansas City; five brothers-in-law and their families; one sister-in-law and her family and many friends. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Allene Bittle-Scott; father-in-law, Alfred Bittle; one son, Sean Lee Parkes in 2014; and three brothers-in-law. The family will receive friends at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service on Thursday, March 23, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Windmill Ridge Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dr. Paul Branstetter and Rev. Jeremy Caudel officiating. Memorials may be made to the SSM Hospice or charity of the donor's choice. Online messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.