Gerald Blanchard Park, Lawrence
Former Emporia resident Gerald Blanchard Park of Lawrence died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor. He was 92.
Mr. Park worked for the Kansas DOT and later became the supervisor of Signs and Markers where he served for more than 40 years. He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II and spent time flying fuel and cargo to the Flying Tigers in China from a base in India.
The son of Floyd and Delia Park, he was born June 25, 1914 at Auburn. He married Marie Maybell Park in 1942. She died in 1982. He married Frances Olson Park on Dec. 24, 1999. She survives.
Mr. Park was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Arab Shrine and the Order of The Eastern Star.
He is survived by four stepchildren, Willis Olson of Eudora, Douglas Olson of Westmoreland, Karen Shumate of Lawrence and Willard Olson of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; and many step grandchildren and great grandchildren. A sister, Wilma and a brother, Dale Park, died earlier.
The graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery in Topeka. The family will meet friends after 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Penwell-Gabel Parker Price Chapel in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Fund, c/o Arab Temple, 1301 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612-1332.