Charles W. Park

Charles Weldon Park was born January 11, 1951, to Robert and Virginia Guest Park in Chickasha, Oklahoma - where he happily lived nearly all his life. He was born to eternal life on April 2, 2025, called unexpectedly, and to the sorrow of everyone who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved, little blue-eyed sister, Jane Alice. 

He is survived by his wife, high school sweetheart, and partner in all things silly, Jan Johnson Park; his daughters Marlowe and Mackenzie; and his beautiful granddaughters Addison and Elizabeth whom he adored; his cherished nieces Marissa and Lauren; and extended family, and every friend he ever made.

As you all know, Charlie was a true “Guest” - with his nose buried in a book from the moment he precociously learned to read, and honestly, ever since. An extremely kind and courteous little boy, he once reported to his mother that one of his friends “hit me, and didn’t even ask permission!” He was very much a doting brother to his little sister, and equally kind to all those he came across in life, be they chance acquaintances or his little cousins.

He graduated from Chickasha High school in 1969, as class salutatorian. Winning grants and scholarships from OU for his scholarly achievements, he graduated from OU in 1973. 

He would say his proudest achievement however was winning the heart and hand of his beloved wife, Jan. They married August 13, 1972 and were inseparable ever since--lifelong Anglophiles and devoted members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Above all, they cherished their children and grandchildren, but also shared a love of reading, cooking, entertaining, and traveling. They were married nearly 53 years, and you should know that they were married a mere two weeks after Charlie’s grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Charlie graduated from OU Law School in 1976. The summer before graduation, he participated in the first OU Law School exchange program with Oxford University in Oxford, England. Jan (of course!) accompanied him, and while he took his law courses, she took architecture courses! 

They joined the English Brass Rubbing Society that summer and traveled around Oxford and parts nearby, visiting churches (not all were accessible to the general public but to members of the Brass Rubbing Society) to make gravestone brass rubbings. 

They were joined later that summer by his parents, Bob and Ginni, who helped them in their research. As it turns out, there are some deep and truly magical connections between Keble College Chapel in Oxford, England and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Chickasha. If you ever have an opportunity to visit the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, please visit the Thomas and Martha Coombs Room, as it is a marvel. You will find the roots of our church’s history there. The Coombs niece, Sarah Blanche Hewett Willams, on several visits in the late 1880’s, brought back to Chickasha ideas for the building of an Episcopal Church. It was very important that the construction and materials used be the red stone from around the area even though it was more expensive. In 1892, Blanche Williams and Mayne Griffin helped established St. Lukes Episcopal Church. 

Upon graduation from OU Law in 1976, Charlie began practicing law at his father’s firm, which was originally Bailey-Hammerly, then became Park, Nelson, Caywood, Jones. He retired in 2023 after 47 years of practice. One of the most notable of his many successes was when Connie Chung flew to Chickasha to interview him. The evening concluded with a family pool party at Bob Park’s home. He served as a Chickasha municipal judge in the late 70s - early 80s. He served as President and Treasurer of the Grady County Bar and was very active in the bar association. He was also an active member of the Chickasha Public School Foundation, as well as a board member of the Sooner Girl Scout Council in southwest Oklahoma.

His daughters were the light and joy of his and Jan’s lives - Marlowe born in 1984 and Mackenzie born in 1987. Their joy only increased with the births of their granddaughters Addison in 2012 and Lizzie in 2017.

God bless all of you, always. You know Charlie misses you with all his heart. And you can be sure that when each of you enters heaven, Charlie will be there waiting--manning the grill, telling one of his classic silly stories, and wrapping you in one of his famous big bear hugs. How we will miss you, Charlie.

Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 1:00 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 124 S. 6th Street, Chickasha, OK 73018. Interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.