Richard Parks - Firefighter - Missouri

Firefighter Captain Richard Parks, age 47, died on May 11, 2012, in Florissant, Missouri.

Richard was a member of the Kinloch Fire Protection District, in St. Louis County, Missouri. This is an entirely volunteer fire department. 

Richard attended at a house fire on April 16, 2012, and helped rescue a teenage boy from the burning structure. Hours later, back at the firehouse, he collapsed. He was hospitalized and put on life support.

He began as a junior firefighter at age 16 and became a firefighter two years later at age 18. He has 31 years of service to the community. 

Saint Florian, Patron Saint
of Firefighters, pray for
Richard

He lived at the Fire Station, was not married and had no children. He had been ill before the April 16th incident.

Firefighters describe him as a mentor and a father-figure to many. He is also described as dedicated and generous and a man who would give you the shirt off of his back. 

When the all-volunteer fire company was facing financial difficulty - repairing a garage door, paying electrical bills, or buying fuel for the fire truck, Richard would often dig into his own pocket to keep things going. 

Richard is survived by many loving friends, comrades and relatives, including his brother, Darran Kelley. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty.

Let us pray that Richard Parks is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.