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C. Carson Parks Dies |
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 Singer, songwriter, Checker Club member C. Carson Parks died June 22nd
of kidney failure at his home in Georgia. He was 69.
(from his obituary)
ST. MARY'S, GEORGIA - Clarence Carson Parks II passed away peacefully
on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at his home with his wife by his side. He
was 69 years old.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 26, 1936, Carson was the
son of Mary Joy Alter and Richard Hill Parks, MD and the eldest brother
of Richard Parks, Van Dyke Parks and the late Benjamin R. Parks.
A graduate of Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Carnegie
Technological Institute and the University of Miami, Carson moved to
Los Angeles in the early 60's and was a member of the following folk
groups: The Steeltown Two, The Easy Riders (Kapp Records), The
Southcoasters (co-founder; Montclare Records), Bud & The Kinsmen
(Capitol Records), The Greenwood County Singers (Founder; Kapp
Records), Carson & Gaile (Kapp Records) and he performed on several
movie soundtracks including: "Jungle Book", "The Aristocats", "The
Alamo," among others.
A musician, songwriter and publisher/owner of Greenwood Music Co.,
Carson's works include the first gold single for Frank Sinatra (1967)
"Somethin' Stupid" and "Cab Driver" by the Mills Brothers.
After 30 years in Nashville, Carson made his summer home in the
mountains of Western North Carolina, with a magnificent view of the
Smoky Mountains and the highest Railroad pass east of the Rockies. His
winters were spent in St. Mary's, GA, on a deep water homesite on a
saltwater river, where the dolphins swim and the shrimp and crab jump
into the frying pan. A wizard at Trivial Pursuit, Carson will be
greatly missed by his family, friends and Takamine guitar.
Carson was preceded in death by his parents and brother Benjamin. He is
survived by his wife, Gail Singleton Parks of St. Mary's, GA, five
children: Rick Parks of Los Angeles, Hilary Parks of Nashville, TN,
Catherine Parks Hubbard of Brentwood, TN, C. Carson Parks III of
Nashville, and Ben Parks of Bayville, NY and two step-children: Melanie
Singleton of Waynesville, NC and Tim Singleton also of Waynesville.
A Celebration of Life will take place in late July. In his honor, memorials may be made to:
The American Boychoir
19 Lambert Drive
Princeton, NJ 0854020
1-609-924-585820
or20
Hospice of the Golden Isles
1692 Glynco Parkway
Brunswick, GA 31525
1-912-265-4735
I personally had the honor of meeting Mr. Parks on two occasions (both
at Checker Car Club National Meetings, of which he was a regular
sight). A musician myself, I've met many musicians in my life and
I must say that Mr. Parks was a real all-around nice guy. Very
approachable and easy to talk to. He and his custom piano-striped Aerobus will be sorely missed by all of us.
"Cab Driver, you better take me home
I guess that I was meant to be alone
I hope God sends me a loved one of my own
Cab Driver, you better take me home."
Rest in peace, Mr. Parks.
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