Joe Parks, formerly of Poulsbo, died March 4. He was 87.

Parks was born Aug. 5, 1921 in Alix, Ark., as the eighth child of Malla Kire Parks and Lourana Alice Creekmore Parks.

He spent his growing up years in Arkansas and at the young age of 18 he joined the Navy.

He was very proud to serve his country and spent 28 years in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II onboard two submarines, the USS Swordfish, SS-193, and the USS Queenfish, SS-393.

After the war he spent time on the USS Halfbeak, SS-352, and USS Redfin, SS-352, where in October 1950 he rose to the rank of warrant officer 1.

He also served on numerous other submarines, the USS Holland, AS-3; USS Grand Canyon, AD-28, USS Nereus, AS-17, USS Dixie, AD-14, and the USS Sperry, AS-12.

He retired in 1967 at the rank of CWO-4.

He had an eighth-grade education and rose from the rank of seaman recruit to CWO-4 Advanced Underwater Ordinance Tech. He was a Mustang Officer (one who rises from the bottom ranks to officer status). He earned two Bronze Stars for service during WWII.

Parks married Mary Francis Lewis in Yuma, Ariz., on March 19, 1943.

She predeceded him in death in 1986.

They had three children: Robert Ray (Barbara), of Fort Worth, Texas, Joseph Wayne “Archie” of Seattle, and Nancie Luanne Lyon of Baja, Mexico.

In 1988 he married Betty Marie Collins and moved from Belfair to Manhattan, Mont.

Betty preceded him in death on Aug. 20, 2008. He is survived by all three children; two sisters, Maryzetta Duncan of California and Tommie Cummins of Tuskahoma, Okla.; two step daughters, Linda Diane (James) Wright of Victoria, Virginia and Cammy (Mark) Van Antwerp of Manhattan; seven grand children, and 11 great-grandchildren.