Jay Parks

Jay was born to Edward & Bertha Parks in Harlem, MT., January 11, 1929. He graduated from Harlem High School in 1946 and was working in his brother’s (Swede) butcher shop when he met AnnaMarie Cuerth. They were married in 1949.

In 1952, they purchased a general store in Hays, MT., lived there and raised 4 children. In 1962, Jay and his father-in-law purchased the Security State Bank in Harlem. In April 1966, he purchased Crooks Hardware. In 1978, he built Parks’ Home Center where the former John Deere Implement Shop stood. His wife and 3 sons were all partners in the business. In 1997, they sold the hardware store to Buttrey Foods and Jay and AnnaMarie retired in 1998.

Jay was a former volunteer fireman and had many other interests including buying and remodeling properties. He enjoyed numerous friends in the Hays, Fort Belknap, Harlem and surrounding communities. In April 2003, Jay and AnnaMarie moved to Eureka, MT where Jay passed away on July 13, 2019.

He was proceeded in death by his daughter Rose Ann in 1967. He is survived by his wife, AnnaMarie; 3 sons, Alan, Lee and Kenny; 5 grandchildren, Ryan, Jaci, Shane, Kari, and Lisa; and 1 great-grandson, Cashton Sharp; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a graveside service directly following the Veteran Memorial at the Harlem Cemetery on Sunday Sept 1.