James Park

Park, James

James Kenneth Park, 83, died peacefully Sunday evening December 22, 2013 at the Episcopal Church Home in the presence of his loving family. 'Ken' to family and friends, was defined by two things: Love for his Lord and love for his family. That love did what true love does - it expanded. First, Ken met his wife of 58 years, Divina Doris Key, while listening to her play the piano at his home church, Trinity Baptist in Paducah. After falling in love and marrying in 1955, they moved so Ken could attend Murray State University and began a pilgrimage of love to the far reaches of this 'wonderful world we live in'. He attended Seminary in Ft Worth, TX and in Louisville, and served as Minister of Education at West End Baptist Church in Paducah and Baptist Tabernacle in Louisville. In 1964 Ken and Divina were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Chile where they served for 28 years in Viña del Mar, Antofagasta, Santiago and Copiapo. He worked side by side with Chilean pastors and church members in General Evangelism and in Christian education. Ken's love of Chile, the Chile Mission family and the Chilean Baptist family of faith defined his life and through that love he developed deep and rich relationships that he cherished his whole life. When they retired in 1992, Ken and Divina returned to Kentucky where they continued their work of love and hospitality in Franklin, working with the Good Samaritan Center and running a Bed & Breakfast. In 2003 they moved to Louisville where two of their five children live. Ken and Divinia were former members of Melbourne Heights Baptist Church where he served as deacon. Presently, he and Divinia are members of Highland Baptist Church.

He is survived by his loving wife Divina and his five children: Karen Park of Louisville, KY; Rebecca Park Martin (Bill) of Louisville, KY; Laura Park (Jacques Kapuscinski) of Washington, DC; Kenneth K. Park (Leslie) of Warsaw, VA; and James Park (Marianela Mussiett) of Osorno, Chile. Ken delighted in his twelve grandchildren: Jon, Ben, Emma, Elizabeth, Aaron, Hannah, Caleb, Judson, Cony, Nico, Amanda and Sara. Also surviving are his siblings, Mickey Park (Shirley), David Park (Vicki), Carolyn Eyre (Charlie), Shirley Dick (Charles) and Lois Steger. One sister, Sharon Bertoni, preceded Ken in death.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah. Burial will follow in the Maplelawn Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2013 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Lourdes Hospice, P.O. Box 7100, Paducah, KY 42002-7100 or to the Alzheimer's Association, 6100 Dutchmans Lane Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40205.

You may leave a message of sympathy and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com.