Lenoel E. “Lee” Parks, 72, of Silver Lake, Kansas, formerly of Seneca, died suddenly Tuesday, December 19, 2000, in Brownsville, Texas. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.

Lee was born June 3, 1928 in Pomona, Kansas, the son of Vernon and Beth Kuebler Parks. He grew up there and graduated from Pomona High School in 1946. In 1950 he graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan with a degree in agriculture. He farmed near Pomona before going to work for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). In 1955 he moved to Seneca where he was employed by the FHA as the county supervisor. He moved to Silver Lake in 1970 where he worked for the FHA in Topeka specializing in rural water departments making loans and other business plans. Lee retired from the FHA in 1993. He later worked for Bartlett and West Engineering Firm in Topeka as a consultant for rural water districts.

He was married to Joan Rosengarten on July 25, 1970 in Alma, Kansas. She survives of the home. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pomona.

He was a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas, and the Masonic McKinley Lodge #41 in Pomona. He was a member of the Lion’s Club in Pomona, Seneca, and Silver Lake. He had served on the Library Board in Silver Lake. He was issued a pilot’s license in August of 1965, had club ownership in several planes, and was a member of the EAA Warbirds of America, Squadron 14, at Forbes Air Force Base. He did volunteer work and helped with the air show. He enjoyed playing golf and fishing. He liked gardening and was known for his “green thumb.”

Survivors besides his wife Joan are a stepson, Charles Rosengarten of Bern, Kansas; a stepdaughter, Tonda Rosengarten of Lenexa, Kansas; two brothers, John V. Parks of Overland Park, Kansas and James Parks of Pomona; and two step-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a step-granddaughter, Jennifer Rosengarten on May 22, 1999.

Funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery at Seneca. A prayer service will be held at 7 PM Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given for the Seneca Golf Club, and sent in care of the family.