MEDICINE LODGE — Ronald “Stony” L. Parks left this earth contrary to how he lived it, quietly and peacefully in his sleep on July 11, 2021. But in typical Stony fashion he was surrounded by loved ones in his home in Woodward, Okla.

Mercifully, they broke the mold after Ronald was born to Ronald K. Parks and the late Eleanor Joan (Gallaugher) on Oct. 2, 1963 in Medicine Lodge, Kan. Although he was born Ronald Parks, most simply knew him as “Stony”. A nickname given to him during early childhood by his older brother after seeing the television series Stoney Burke; needless to say, the name stuck.

After graduating from Ellinwood High School in 1982, Stony spent most of his life following in his family’s footsteps, working in the oilfield. No one could tell Stony anything, finally relenting to that fact, he started his own trucking business in 2014; an accomplishment that was a great source of pride for him.

His only greater source of pride was his family. Stony cherished his two sons, Chance and Caleb and no one around him was ever unaware of that fact. If you were around Stony you could expect to be in a selfie or three, but he perhaps photographed no one more than the pride and  absolute joy of his life: his two grandchildren, Andria and Kenneth. Stony was always the life of the party and a people person in its truest form. In his later years, Stony enjoyed traveling to see friends and relatives, always bringing with him a good time and some good or not-so-good stories. When he cared for you it was deep and no amount of words could take the place of the energy and warmth he brought with him.  Stony enjoyed leather-working and was a collector of rare coins and knives. Stony was also a fan of the KU Jayhawks and NASCAR, especially the Earnhardt years. There was no better driver in the world to him than Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Stony was also vain. You could always find him in his signature graphic tee and unbuttoned plaid shirt, paired with the latest style of sneakers. And his hair. He never had a single hair out of place, always making sure he looked his best.

Always the lady’s man, in death, Stony is reunited with the two women who shaped him most, his mother Joan and his older sister Julie. Stony is also preceded in death by his nephew Brent.

In addition to his two sons, Stony is survived by his father, Ronald, his namesake and avid supporter throughout the years and his older brother, Kenneth Parks, a man he deeply admired and respected more than anyone. He leaves behind his two grandchildren and the closest thing he had to a daughter, his daughter-in-law Chelsey Parks. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Tonya Parks, whose food he usually liked.

In addition to other numerous family members, close friends, and countless impressions he left on all those he met, he also leaves behind a niece and two nephews. He was the self-proclaimed protector of his niece Whitney, he shared his love for a good pair of shoes with his nephew Tyler, and was a fan of late nights watching television and eating push-pops with his other nephew Cole.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Larrison Funeral Home, 120 E. Lincoln, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104 with Pastor Tom Walters officiating. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge, KS. Condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Larrison Funeral Home

120 E. Lincoln

Medicine Lodge, KS 67104

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 14, 2021