Funeral Services for Virgil Lewis Parks, age 91, of O'Neill will be 11:00 am Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the Word of Life Christian Center in O'Neill.    Inurnment will be held at a later date in the O'Neill Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church.  Virgil passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at the Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.  The family requests everyone in attendance to dress casually. Memorials may be directed to his family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Virgil Lewis Parks was born on May 16, 1934 in Page, Nebraska to Marion and Dena (Alder) Parks.  He grew up in the Page area and attended country school in rural Page, before attending Page High School and graduating in 1952.

He met Pauline Strong at the M&M Bakery in O'Neill in 1954, where she worked. The couple later married on August 20, 1955 in O'Neill, Nebraska.  Shortly after Virgil began working for Lloyd Whaley, ranching northeast of O'Neill.  In 1972 Virgil and Pauline moved into O'Neill and made their forever home.  Virgil worked a short time for his brother-in-law, Herman Orsborn in the haying business before going to work for Olson Brothers Manufacturing as a welder.  He started working for the City of O'Neill in 1989 as a wastewater treatment plant operator. He retired from there after 20 years. He then went to work for his son-in-law, Dave Jakubowski at Agricultural Services in 2002 as a delivery truck driver. Virgil retired in 2015.

Virgil was a storyteller and a jokester. He liked to make people laugh and smile. He loved his grandchildren dearly and bragged about them often. He enjoyed building things in his spare time. He also loved hunting, fishing and gardening. He was a proud member of the National Rifle Association.

Virgil is survived by his wife of 70 years Pauline Parks of O'Neill, NE; children, Pam Jakubowski and husband Dave of O'Neill, NE, Zane Parks and wife Kathleen of Lincoln, NE, Eric Parks and wife Corine of Tampa, FL; eight grandchildren, Mike and Cindy Jakubowski, Andy and Jennifer Jakubowski, Ron and Tracy Jakubowski, Valarie and Todd Kennedy, Ethan Parks, Krista and Nathaniel Sheets, Jacqueline and Brett Rash, Taylor and Kayla Parks; twenty-three great grandchildren, Dillon, Breanna, Madelynne, Brody, Morgan, Marcus, Ashley, Lexi, Ryan, Julia, Liam, Kiarra, Samson, Keaton, Kaia, Kayson, Kyler, Rory, Eliza, Keelie, Ayviann, Odison and Naomi; seven great great grandchildren, Scott, Pete, Bud, Brynn, Luke, Hadley and Kinley; sisters, Dona Trowbridge of O'Neill, NE, Maryln Kucera and husband Ken of Clarkson, NE; brother, Ted Parks of Fremont, NE; sisters-in-law, Joyce Kotrous and husband Gordy of Pierce, NE, Lonnie Fuller and husband George of O'Neill, NE; brothers-in-law, Earl Strong of O'Neill, NE and Jim Strong of Fenton, MO;  many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Marion and Dena Parks; brothers, Jim Parks, Gordon Parks; sister, Lorella Parks; step sister, Doris Fick; sisters-in-law, Theresa Parks and Dorothy Parks; brothers and sisters-in-law, Herman and Dodie Orsborn, Norma Strong, Tim and Jennie McGaffin, Bill Strong and niece, Mary Rodenbaugh.