Charles B. Park

Charles was born in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho to Elvin and Gladys Park. He was the second of four children.

He met the love of his life, Billie Faye Hanchey, in Twin Falls and asked her to write to him while he was in the Army serving this great nation. When he was home on leave, he knew he needed to win her over, so he asked her out on their first date - Easter sunrise service. It worked! They fell in love and were married on November 2, 1957.

Soon after the Army, they moved to Pocatello where Charles attended Idaho State University and graduated with a degree in business. While there, they welcomed the first two of their four daughters: Tracey and Xana. Upon graduation, the family moved to Rupert, where Joni and Suzy were born, completing their family of six.

After working for Lott Electric, Charles took a leap of faith into the restaurant industry, purchasing the DelMac Drive-In. In 1969, Parky's Drive-In was born and quickly became a local institution. in the early years, you could find the girls working the window and grill and Charles, aka Parky, holding court with his buddies while peeling spuds on buckets, discussing the latest fishing trip or local sporting event. If you got to peel spuds with Parky, you knew you were special to him.

His leap of faith was rewarded and in 1982 he purchased the Wayside. This is where Charles and Billie worked side by side for many years. Charles was a natural at business, and Billie was a natural in the kitchen. 

Charles had many hobbies and loved sharing them with his grandchildren and friends.  His best stories started with, "This one time on a fishing trip with..." He loved to fish and enjoy life to the fullest. He was a gentle soul and took pleasure in helping those around him. This showed in the lifelong friends he surrounded himself with and who were very dear to him.

Charles B. Park was fond of giving nicknames and went by numerous ones himself. Around a table of loved ones, he would be addressed by any number of names, including "Dad," "Grandpa," "Chas," "Parky," "Boss Man," or "Uncle Tuffy." But the nickname he loved hearing the most was "Chazzy," from his "Poopsie." He left this world on Sunday, September 24, 2023 surrounded by family and was finally reunited with his Poopsie, Billie, his forever love. We miss him dearly.

Charles is survived by his four daughters: Tracey Uscola, Xana (Robert) Brice, Joni (Bill) Burnett, Suzanne (Jim) Greenwood, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Elks Lodge in Rupert. Immediately following will be a celebration of life for this wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.  Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

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