Firefighters, Tennessee Department of Transportation HELP drivers, law enforcement, military as well as friends and family turned out Friday, Sept. 4, to celebrate the life of James Parks during a public service at Pleasant View Community Park.
Parks, a retired Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department Captain and TDOT HELP Driver, died of complications of COVID-19 in August. Known as “Peanut” and “Big Jimmy,” he spent most of his life in service to the community and was an active member of 24 Church.
After a somber musical procession by members of Nashville Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Chris Royalty, 24 Church Pastor, offered up prayer at the beginning of the service, and thanked everyone for attending and honoring Parks’ memory.
Every speaker spoke about how his sense of duty to his community and family and his sense of humor were key parts of his personality.
Lt. Ken Miller, Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office Investigator, spoke about how Parks backed him up at many scene investigations.
“Seeing you all out here, I don’t think he knew how many people he reached. I loved him and he was my family,” Miller said.
Parks’ daughter Payton smiled through tears when honoring her dad with a brief passage of scripture.
Will Nelms and his father, PVVFD Assistant Chief Trey Nelms also shared heartwarming memories of their beloved friend.
Outside the pavilion, TDOT HELP trucks were lined up, with one flashing the message, “RIP James Parks” and his TDOT truck number 7323.
Parks is survived by his wife Sandra and their children, Austin and Payton.
A memorial fund has been set up under a Go Fund Me account titled as James Parks Memorial Fund.
