Derek Michael Parks

Derek Michael Parks, 32, died oneednesday, April 13, 2011. He was born on neember 10, 1978 to Donald aneellen Glynn Parks. Peru Illinois was the site of Derek's Catholic Christening and his home for the first 23 years of his life. He attended La Salle-Peru Township High School where he seemed to have honed his social skills and saved his determination to learn and succeed at Illinois Valley Community College and Uneersity of Illinois Springfield. Derek graduated Cum Laude with his bachelor's degree in Psychology before moving on to atteneelon Uneersity in Burlington, NC, where he achieved his Doctor of Physical Therapy. It was about this time that his parents moved to NC to be near Derek and his sister Julie. Besides his dedication and compassion to his work with patients, Derek's full time commitment was that of being loyal and showing his deep love to family and friends unceasingly. His art was to make people smile and laugh. Derek's other passions included an immense knowledge and collection of music and love of sports. Chicago teams were his favorite. Derek was also an athlete competing in marathons to raise money for charities and triathlons for self victory. His love for nature combined with sport is evident in his many hiking and camping trips. He also loved the solitude of fishing whenee had the time. Derek is survived by his parents Donald aneellen Glynn Parks of Durham, NC and formerly Peru, IL; sister Julie Parks Taylor and her husband Jason also of Durham and formerly of Peru, IL; grandmothers Margaret Glynn of Durham, NC and Dorothy Parks of La Salle, IL; nieces and nephew Ada, Zoe and Silas Taylor all of Durham, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made ineerek's nee to the Derek Parks Memorial Fund, c/o Wachovia Bank, 3600 N. Duke St., Durham, NC 27704. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 4:00 PM from the home of David Haring, 1036 Lakeview Drive, Cedar Grove, NC 27231. Friends are invited to gather at 3:00 PM, one hour prior to the service, in order to visit with the family. A private cremationeeremony was held earlier. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.