Barton A. Parks Jr.

Parks—Barton A. Parks Jr., 86, on October 12, 2024, peacefully in his sleep, at Friends Homes at Guilford in Greensboro, N.C. Barton was born on March 29, 1938, to Barton A. Parks Sr. and Dora Belle Priour Parks in Corpus Christi, Tex. He had an older sister, Barbara, and a younger brother, Clarence. Barton spent his first 12 years surrounded by an extended family that included 23 first cousins—a time he cherished for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Barton earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Rice University in 1960. From there he went to the University of Texas at Austin where he met his wife, Evelyn Louise Bailey. They married on November 30, 1963, in Ballinger, Tex., and would enjoy more than 60 years of marriage. Barton and Evelyn spent their honeymoon driving to the State University of New York at Buffalo, where Barton would earn his master’s degree in 1965 and his doctorate in sociology/social theory in 1973. They have two daughters, Lisa Marie Parks and Amanda Jean Parks.

Barton taught sociology at Middlebury College and Windham College in Vermont, and at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He taught criminal justice at Indiana University, moving in 1980 to Greensboro, where he would chair the Justice and Policy Studies Department at Guilford College. Barton served as clerk of the faculty from 1989 to 1991, and was the keynote speaker when the Hege Library addition was dedicated in 1989. Throughout his 29 years at Guilford College, Barton increasingly branched out into the community and brought lessons he learned from the community into his classes.

In 1982, Barton helped found One Step Further, a mediation center for adults, youth, parents, and families to take positive steps during times of personal crisis and conflict. In 1987, Barton led the effort to open a Delancey Street Foundation site in Greensboro, a rigorous self-help approach for alternative sentencing of offenders. He was the founding chair of Project Greensboro, an organization designed to restore safety and security to neighborhoods with high crime and low income. In 1996, Barton was honored by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with the Charles Duncan McIver Medal, which recognizes North Carolinians who have rendered distinguished public service.

After Barton’s adventurous spirit led him on an Outward Bound course in his late 40s, he helped start a ropes course at Guilford College and was one of its first course facilitators. On his seventieth birthday, he was thrilled to skydive. He had an appreciation for travel and immersion in diverse cultures. His time with Evelyn in Rovinj, Croatia; and Prague, Czechia, held special places in his heart. He enjoyed teaching three semesters abroad: London ’73, Guadalajara ’96, and Shanghai ’13.

In their retirement, Barton and Evelyn were active attenders at New Garden Meeting, including several worship sharing groups. Their presence added immeasurably to the life of the meeting.

In 2018, Barton and Evelyn moved into Friends Homes at Guilford. After two strokes in 2020, they moved to assisted living, and in 2024 to memory care when both were affected by mild dementia.

Barton was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Lynn Parks Zelle; and his brother, Clarence Milton Parks.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Bailey Parks; and two children, Lisa Parks and Amanda Parks.