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Community Expresses Its Love And Thanks

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

Here are some of the condolences on TBO.com to the family of strawberry grower Roy Parke, who died last week at age 87. To view the entire guest book, go to PlantCity.tbo.com.

Our love and prayers go out to the family.

CHAN, LISA, KERI

and JUSTIN SURRENCY

Plant City

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We went to school with Parke's daughters Cheryl and Sandee. May God comfort you and give you peace.

EDDIE and SANDRA McMILLAN

Dundee

My prayers and thoughts are with you. I have known your family for years. Sandee meant so much to my dad, the late Jim Howell, as well as your whole family. Roy would always cheer me and Rosie up at doc's office. I also enjoyed working with him at the Florida Strawberry Festival for several years. He and wife Helen and the whole family are just such a joy to know. He will be greatly missed to all who knew him.

DIANE H. and JAMIE BOGGS

Lakeland

Our Dear Cousin Roy,

We are all so sorry to hear of your death. We send our sincere sympathy to Helen and your large family in Florida. We wanted to assure you that you will be in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.

JOY DERBY (PARKE) GRANGE

Northern Ireland

My sympathy to the Parke family. Mr. Parke was an icon for most of my life.

FAYE MORGAN NELSON

Hattiesburg, Miss.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of Mr. Parke and the entire Parke family. Growing up down the street, the Parke family gave me my first two jobs. I babysat for Cheryl and Jim's son Jimmy, and then worked at the Parkesdale market for five years. I started out as the milkshake girl on the weekends. Mr. Parke was always very kind, funny and occasionally played matchmaker and tried to set me up with his friends' sons. When my father passed away five years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Parke came to my parents' house to visit, and I remember thinking how kind that was because I felt like their family was such a big part of my life growing up. God bless all of you.

KAREN KELLEY-FISHER

Valrico

I just wanted to express my sincere sympathy. I know Mr. Parke will truly be missed. My first job was working at Parkesdale Market in the '70s. My family lived on Tanner Road, and if I recall correctly, Mrs. Parke said she liked to hire neighborhood kids. I think she thought that kept us out of trouble! Often Mr. Parke would come into the market and ask, "Where's Mum?" which always tickled me. It made me feel part of the family. My sister Karen later babysat for Cheryl's son Jimmy and also worked at the market. I was very touched a few years ago, when my own father passed away, and Mr. and Mrs. Parke took the time to drop by and express their condolences. We may not have spent a lot of time with the Parke family over the years, but they have sincerely touched our lives in a warm and generous way.

DEBBIE (KELLEY) PITTS

Jacksonville

My deepest sympathy to all the Parke family. You are indeed an extension of the family values of Plant City and its farming community. Even though I have moved away, I still think of the Parkes when I see the strawberries arrive at the local grocery stores. Heaven is a much happier place, and strawberry shortcake is now being served.

JOE B. HINSON JR.

Vienna, Ga.

What an incredible man Mr. Roy was!!! Memories of him will forever be in our hearts.

JENNIFER FLOTT and TERRA

and JULIA JOHNSON

Plant City

My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. We go back many years, and someone has always kept us informed about your family. Thanks for helping my family over the years.

IRENE KELLY BEATTY

Saltsburg, Pa.

Our sincere sympathy. Roy will truly be missed by all. I have fond memories of my youth in Sunday school when Roy was my teacher and all of us dug out the basement of the Delmont Presbyterian Church. Our visits to your home when we were in Florida will also be remembered. All of his ventures will not be forgotten.

CLEM and PATTY

ZAHROBSKY

Delmont, Pa.

Through the years Mr. Parke has been ... a friend, someone whom I have looked up to and admired.

Today he is an angel in heaven.

When the Lord calls a loved one home, he leaves a gift of memories in exchange.

It's hard to understand why people are taken from us, but find comfort in knowing he was a part of a well-lived life.

Memories of love and friendship are treasures to carry all the days of your life. Memories are the legacy of love.

Although it is hard right now to think of anything except the pain and hurting in your hearts, take comfort, knowing that those who love will be reunited in eternity.

Until we meet again.

Our prayers and thoughts will be with you every step of the way.

DENNIS and

PATRICIA NEELEY

Tampa

Plant City has indeed lost a pillar of its community. Roy will be sorely missed. May God rest his soul and provide His hand in comfort and support to guide Roy's family through this difficult time.

COMMISSIONER

BRIAN BLAIR

Tampa

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

JEREMY and KAREN BEATY

Plant City

One thing I know for sure: Heaven has just received a true gentleman into its fold! It is comforting to know that, when I get there, a BIG HUG awaits. I am one of Roy's "kids" and will miss him. To the rest of my "family," much love and comfort, I send your way. No truer friends can be found on Earth than the Parke family! May God continue to bless you.

PAT PEACOCK

Turkey Creek

Goodbye, Pappa Strawberry! Thank you for the sticky strawberries that you put on my lapel. Thank you for your hugs and kisses. Thank you for the best cookies, shakes, shortcake and jam in the whole world. Thank you for being a man of Christ. I will miss you. Every time I smell a strawberry, I will think of you.

CANDY OWENS

Plant City

As a native of Plant City, I would like to thank the entire Parke family for the wonderful contributions to our community. Mr. Parke will be missed by all.

SHARON LEE

Plant City

I was born and raised in Plant City and have known the Parkes since I was small. My brother and I helped pick strawberries one year. Mr. Parke said, "Don't eat too many; it will make your tummy ache."

LINDA WILSON (THRELKELD)

Dover

Roy Parke will be missed by all his neighbors, past and present. Roy was very good to my boys when we lived in Dover. They worked for Roy when they were little, and then Jim and Cheryl when they became teenagers. What a great family. He was also very good to us as neighbors, always a smile and a wave. He will be truly missed. My heart goes out to all the Parkes.

JIM and BOOTIE GINTHER

Port Charlotte

We have lost a legend, a pioneer in strawberry farming. He was a frequent guest of ours on AM Tampa Bay when a freeze was approaching. My deepest condolences to the Parke family.

TEDD WEBB

Brandon

As a native Pinellas County resident, I grew up with trips to the farm to pick strawberries every year as a young girl. The Parke farm is an integral part of the Bay area culture. Mr. Parke leaves a legacy that America was built on. Hard work and embracing the goodness that God gave us in the Earth will facilitate success on many levels. God rest you, Mr. Parke, and my prayers are that the family finds strength in the wonderful memories and lessons that he leaves in your care.

KATHRYN CANON

Seminole

You are a great family and have made our communities a better place to work and live. You, under the leadership of Roy, have contributed so much to the youth of our area, and we will always be grateful to you.

JAMES "SONNY"

and BETTY JONES

Plant City

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