John Monroe (JM) Park of Paducah, passed June 23, 2026, after 97 years and 8 days of humbly and completely giving himself away to family and the ordinary moments where grace may be found.
JM was a kind and generous man, born in 1929 to very humble beginnings. One of six children, and the son of Oswald and Delia Park, JM worked at a very young age in the press room of the Paducah Sun Democrat to help support his family. In 1949, JM graduated from Augusta Tilghman High School, where he excelled in basketball, football, and track and field, and played for such luminaries as Coach Otis Dinning and Coach Ralph McRight. Because of his standout achievements at ATHS, and his accomplishments and citizenship after, JM was inducted into the Tilghman Hall of Fame in 2011.
JM’s heroics on the hardwood were many. His skills were documented in a game against the undefeated Madisonville Maroons, led by future UK standout and Hall of Famer Frank Ramsey. The Paducah Sun Democrat reported the “aggressive” JM Park was the “mainspring in the Tornado fastbreak,” and with 20 points, he took individual scoring honors for both teams in leading Tilghman over Madisonville and Ramsey.
JM was a student-athlete at Union University, where he excelled in basketball and track and field. While in college, JM was invited to participate in the Olympic trials for the high jump and placed third in the nation using the classic Western Roll technique.
Following graduation from Union University, JM returned to Paducah with his high school sweetheart/wife, Betty Hancock Park. In Paducah, JM and Betty raised their three children - Debbie, Ginny, and John. JM started his professional career as a salesman for Kraft Foods. After garnering all available achievement awards with Kraft, including the historic and highly coveted Jade Ring Award, JM took the leap into entrepreneurship as owner/operator of Odorite of South Central and Park Antiques. Through hard work and determination, the businesses flourished.
JM worked hard. Through his words and actions, but primarily through actions, JM taught his children that working hard is good for body and soul. It was readily apparent that for JM, hard work was not a burden to escape, but as a gift that shaped both character and spirit. For JM, dignity was not found in wealth or recognition, but in showing up each day, keeping his word, and giving his best to whatever was before him.
JM loved well. The love of his life is Betty, or “Betsy” as he called her with affection. The two left out for a day trip and told their families, with poles in hand, they were going fishing. They actually travelled to Corinth, Mississippi, were married there, and then spent 77 years of happy marriage, raising their kids, managing their businesses, welcoming 4 grandkids and 5 great-grandkids, and enjoying countless adventures along the way.
JM loved well daily, but his love for family was on full display at Christmas. In the months leading to the family’s Christmas Eve celebrations, JM built and handcrafted pieces of furniture or searched for and found treasures he knew would be meaningful to the recipient. With great care and precision, JM prepared grocery bags adorned with colorful clippings from the newspaper and then wrapped the smaller gifts in newspapers to be placed in the grocery bags. Although not apparent at the time, it’s now evident JM’s handling of newspapers had transitioned from a labor of necessity (as a young man working in the press room) to a labor of love as he watched (with a smile and a Santa hat) those he loved so well enjoying time together and thoughtful gifts.
JM was a man of great faith who read and studied the Bible daily. His Bible is worn. The pages are wrinkled, and the margins of the pages are filled with JM’s handwritten notes and comments. JM heard the words of Jesus and acted upon them, setting the foundation for a life of humility and kindness. To paraphrase St. Francis of Assisi, JM preached the gospel at all times, and when necessary used words.
JM is survived by his beloved wife of 77 years, Betty Jean Hancock Park of Paducah; his children, Debbie Riley (John Riley) of Paducah; Ginny Hutson (Chris Hutson) of Paducah; and John Park (Matthew Turley) of Paducah; his four grandchildren, Derrick Riley (Kelly Riley); Amy Rivas (Luis Rivas); Caroline Eddy (Matt Eddy); and Will Hutson (Tara Hutson); and five great-grandchildren, Jane Eddy, Eloise Hutson, Stella Eddy, Poppy Hutson, and Silas Eddy.
In addition to his titles as husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, JM was a Kentucky Colonel and a Duke of Paducah.
In addition to his parents, JM was preceded in death by his sisters Frances, Guy Eula, Barbara, and Belvalene, and brother Charles.
A private Celebration of Life service for the family will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Immanuel Baptist Church with Rev. Katie McKown officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or online at stjude.org.
Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements.
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