Charles F. Parks, 60, of Tangier Island, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at his home.

Born in Crisfield on November 20, 1953, and raised on Tangier Island, he was a son of the late Albert "Sampy" and Bessie Parks.

A member of the Tangier High School class of 1972, he was a Coast Guard licensed Captain with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for 18 years. Over those years as captain for the Port Isobel Education Center, he had shared his passion for the Chesapeake Bay with over 15,000 people.

He was a member of the New Testament Church Congregation. He enjoyed singing in church and was a former member of the God's Ambassadors gospel group. He loved fishing, making people laugh with his stories and jokes, sharing his love for the Lord with everyone he met, and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cindy Pruitt Parks of Tangier; two sons, Charles Jared Parks and his wife Anna of Tangier and Richard Albert Parks of Lynchburg, VA; two grandsons, Samuel and Wesley; two sisters and their husbands, Alice and Frank Pruitt of Tangier and Frances and Bob Thorne of Alta Vista, VA; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many friends.

Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, James Franklin McCready in 1993.

Funeral services officiated by the Rev. John Flood will be Saturday, October 18, 2014, at 2 PM at Swain Memorial U. M. Church on Tangier where a viewing will be Friday evening from 7-9. Interment will be in the Pruitt/Parks Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to New Testament Congregation, c/o Faith Charnock, P. O. Box 266, Tangier, VA 23440.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com