C.A. “Red” Parks, who helped build the construction business started by his father into one of Chattanooga’s largest contracting companies, died today in Chattanooga.
Parks, 88, was chairman of T.U. Parks Construction Co.
“He represented the pinnacle of our construction industry,” said Roger Tudor, the executive director of Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee who lived next door to Parks in Heritage Landing for the past 15 years. “He was a the kind of person most professional contractors aspire to be.”
Parks headed the company founded by his father, T.U. Parks, for most of the past four decades.
T.U. Parks’ sons – C.A. “Red” and Homer – built the 71-year-old family business into a major commercial and residential building firm over the past half century. Parks has built such signature buildings in Chattanooga as the Krystal and Tallan buildings, the Chattanooga airport and Heritage Landing, among others. The company handles about $35 million a year in building projects.
“I worked for him for 29 years since I got out of Auburn and he was always a gentleman’s gentleman,” said Arch Willingham, executive vice president for Parks. “He was one of those rare people who I never saw lose his temper. He never treated anyone in anything but the kind of respectful way you would want to be treated. He was a truly kind, sincere and honest person.”
Parks is survived by his wife, Vivian and two children, son Larry and daughter Judy.
Larry is president and CEO of T.U. Parks Co.
Arrangements have not yet been announced.