The 1933 West Point USMA report ran the following bio (and a great photo) on Page 259-61.
Harlie Heston Parks was born at Lexington, Ohio, July 29, 1900, the son of George W. Parks and Hattie L. Wirick, both of German-English descent.
Lieut. Parks' early training was received in the local schools of Morrow County. He spent two years in the Galion High School to complete his high school course, graduating with the class of 1918, as class artist. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University in September of the same year, and on June 2nd of the following year became a member of the Reserve Officers' Training corps at Delaware, Ohio. His term of enlistment expired January 20, 1921, but he expressed the desire to reenlist, in order to get the assignment to the Preparatory School at Camp Grant, Illinois, for West Point and College. It was at Camp Grant that he gained, through competitive examinations, the appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. He entered the Military Academy as a cadet on July 1, 1922, and was graduated and promoted in the Army to Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, June 12, 1926. On November 1, 1931, he received the promotion to the First Lieutenantcy.
[The article here contains a detailed listing of his military record.]
At the time of his death he was assigned to the 1st Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla. While at Fort Sill, he graduated from the Field Artillery School, battery Officers' Course.
As a student, he was a steady, conscientious, and diligent worker at any and all tasks he undertook. He was ever ready to help others, giving freely of his time and personal possessions. His record in academics was high and his military efficiency was excellent. He was strictly honest in practice, thought, and judgment. If "Tony" held an opinion on any matter, one could be sure that it was honest and sincere, and that it was his own. The following quotation was taken from a letter sent to Lt. Parks' father, from the Chief of Staff of the War Department, Washington, D.C.: "The records show that Lieutenant Parks was a promising young officer, capable, painstaking, and of quiet and unassuming manner, who invariably performed the duties assigned him with characteristic efficiency and diligence. His death is deeply regretted by his former associates."
He is survived by his father, of Cleveland, O., one sister Mrs. Mamie K. McCune, of Crestline, O., and two brothers Flavius J., of Cleveland, Ohio, and Foye E., of Lima, Ohio.
He was laid to rest in the Shauck's [sic] Cemetery, at Lexington [sic], Ohio, beside his kindly and religious mother, of whom he often spoke with most endearing words.
The article ends with a poem written by his sister and brothers:
His was a life of achievement, lofty and noble of purpose,
Beautiful to behold, an inspiration to many.
Loudly the Reaper called, in the glorious prime of his manhood;
Silently heeding the call, he obeyed the command of his Maker.
We who remain are consoled that God, in His infinite wisdom,
Makes room for such as he and uses them to our advantage.
Harlie Heston Parks was born at Lexington, Ohio, July 29, 1900, the son of George W. Parks and Hattie L. Wirick, both of German-English descent.
Lieut. Parks' early training was received in the local schools of Morrow County. He spent two years in the Galion High School to complete his high school course, graduating with the class of 1918, as class artist. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University in September of the same year, and on June 2nd of the following year became a member of the Reserve Officers' Training corps at Delaware, Ohio. His term of enlistment expired January 20, 1921, but he expressed the desire to reenlist, in order to get the assignment to the Preparatory School at Camp Grant, Illinois, for West Point and College. It was at Camp Grant that he gained, through competitive examinations, the appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. He entered the Military Academy as a cadet on July 1, 1922, and was graduated and promoted in the Army to Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery, June 12, 1926. On November 1, 1931, he received the promotion to the First Lieutenantcy.
[The article here contains a detailed listing of his military record.]
At the time of his death he was assigned to the 1st Field Artillery, Fort Sill, Okla. While at Fort Sill, he graduated from the Field Artillery School, battery Officers' Course.
As a student, he was a steady, conscientious, and diligent worker at any and all tasks he undertook. He was ever ready to help others, giving freely of his time and personal possessions. His record in academics was high and his military efficiency was excellent. He was strictly honest in practice, thought, and judgment. If "Tony" held an opinion on any matter, one could be sure that it was honest and sincere, and that it was his own. The following quotation was taken from a letter sent to Lt. Parks' father, from the Chief of Staff of the War Department, Washington, D.C.: "The records show that Lieutenant Parks was a promising young officer, capable, painstaking, and of quiet and unassuming manner, who invariably performed the duties assigned him with characteristic efficiency and diligence. His death is deeply regretted by his former associates."
He is survived by his father, of Cleveland, O., one sister Mrs. Mamie K. McCune, of Crestline, O., and two brothers Flavius J., of Cleveland, Ohio, and Foye E., of Lima, Ohio.
He was laid to rest in the Shauck's [sic] Cemetery, at Lexington [sic], Ohio, beside his kindly and religious mother, of whom he often spoke with most endearing words.
The article ends with a poem written by his sister and brothers:
His was a life of achievement, lofty and noble of purpose,
Beautiful to behold, an inspiration to many.
Loudly the Reaper called, in the glorious prime of his manhood;
Silently heeding the call, he obeyed the command of his Maker.
We who remain are consoled that God, in His infinite wisdom,
Makes room for such as he and uses them to our advantage.
Mansfield News (Ohio), 2 Sept 1932 -
LIEUTENANT PARKS DIES IN OKLAHOMA
---------
Former Crestline Young Man Succumbs
CRESTLINE, Sept. 24 - Lieutenant Harlie H. Parks, 32, former resident of Crestline, died in Fort Sill, Okla., Friday. Death followed an illness of six weeks with acute rheumatic fever.
The deceased was widely known in Crestline and vicinity. He was born in North Bloomfield in Morrow county, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Parks. He was graduated from Crestline high school in 1918 and was graduated from West Point academy in 1926.
The body will be brought to Galion Sunday and will be removed to the home of the deceased's sister, Mrs. Bert McCune, 318 North Pearl street, by the Bender and Stick funeral directors. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the McCune home and at 2 p.m. at the Steam Corners M.E. church. The A.L. McWhirter post, American Legion, will conduct military rites at the funeral. Burial will be made in Shauck cemetery at Johnsville.
In addition to the sister, Mrs. McCune, the deceased leaves his father, G.W. Parks of Cleveland; two brothers, F.J. Parks of Cleveland and F.E. Parks of Lima.
LIEUTENANT PARKS DIES IN OKLAHOMA
---------
Former Crestline Young Man Succumbs
CRESTLINE, Sept. 24 - Lieutenant Harlie H. Parks, 32, former resident of Crestline, died in Fort Sill, Okla., Friday. Death followed an illness of six weeks with acute rheumatic fever.
The deceased was widely known in Crestline and vicinity. He was born in North Bloomfield in Morrow county, the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Parks. He was graduated from Crestline high school in 1918 and was graduated from West Point academy in 1926.
The body will be brought to Galion Sunday and will be removed to the home of the deceased's sister, Mrs. Bert McCune, 318 North Pearl street, by the Bender and Stick funeral directors. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the McCune home and at 2 p.m. at the Steam Corners M.E. church. The A.L. McWhirter post, American Legion, will conduct military rites at the funeral. Burial will be made in Shauck cemetery at Johnsville.
In addition to the sister, Mrs. McCune, the deceased leaves his father, G.W. Parks of Cleveland; two brothers, F.J. Parks of Cleveland and F.E. Parks of Lima.
Mansfield News (Ohio), 29 Sept 1932 -
HARLIE H. PARKS
------
Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Crestline Soldier
CRESTLINE, Sept. 29 - Funeral services for First Lieutenant Harlie H. Parks, 32, who died at Fort Sill, Okla., Friday from an attack of acute rheumatic fever were held at the home of his sister, Mrs. Burke McCune, 318 North Pearl street, Tuesday at 1 p.m., with continued services at the M.E. church at Steam Corners where Mr. PArks was a member.
The Rev. George H. Willyard, pastor of the Bloominggrove church, assisted Chaplain D.B. Young, pastor of the First Lutheran church in Shelby, in conducting the services at Steam Corners. Burial was made in Shauck's cemetery, near Johnsville, with Bender & Stick in charge. McWhiters post of the American Legion of this city had charge of the military details for the funeral. Rev. E.B. McBroom, pastor of the M.E. church, had charge of the service at the McCune home.
The body of Lieutenant Parks arrived in Galion Sunday night and was brought to the McCune home. It was accompanied by First Lieutenant Leonard J. Greeley of Fort Sill.
HARLIE H. PARKS
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Funeral Services Held Tuesday For Crestline Soldier
CRESTLINE, Sept. 29 - Funeral services for First Lieutenant Harlie H. Parks, 32, who died at Fort Sill, Okla., Friday from an attack of acute rheumatic fever were held at the home of his sister, Mrs. Burke McCune, 318 North Pearl street, Tuesday at 1 p.m., with continued services at the M.E. church at Steam Corners where Mr. PArks was a member.
The Rev. George H. Willyard, pastor of the Bloominggrove church, assisted Chaplain D.B. Young, pastor of the First Lutheran church in Shelby, in conducting the services at Steam Corners. Burial was made in Shauck's cemetery, near Johnsville, with Bender & Stick in charge. McWhiters post of the American Legion of this city had charge of the military details for the funeral. Rev. E.B. McBroom, pastor of the M.E. church, had charge of the service at the McCune home.
The body of Lieutenant Parks arrived in Galion Sunday night and was brought to the McCune home. It was accompanied by First Lieutenant Leonard J. Greeley of Fort Sill.