James Eugene “Gabby” Parks Jr. was born on August 5, 1969, in Knoxville Tennessee. On March 9, 2023 it pleased our Heavenly Father to transfer him from the labors of this life to the sweet rest and fellowship of the saints awaiting the Day of Christ Jesus Return.
God’s Word say’s “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” {Psalm 116:15}. Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. If anyone believes in me, even though he die he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die {John 11:25}.

James accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of Rev. Leroy Franklin.
He loved body building, boxing and running, completing the 2009 and 2010 Knoxville Marathon. James never met a person that before long he thought was a friend. He was never judgmental of others; he always gave the opportunity to prove who you were. While life was often challenging, he lived life as a free spirit. He worked many jobs and could easily accomplish a skill; but never stayed in the same place long. He was always on the move. He worked well with children and they loved his energy. He could make even a rock laugh out loud. He never met a stranger always willing to give or share anything he had. The one thing he cherished was the writing of a little book that warned others not to run Life’s Marathon the way he did.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Floyd M & Helen Harris; Harold F & Mary F Chandler.

He is survived by his parents Deacon Charles R. Hackler and Rev. Jo Ann Hackler, paternal father James E. Parks, Sr. [Jeannie]; Grandmother Barbara J. Parks, beloved sister Robin M. Wells, Lenexa, KS, brother Michael J. [Jennifer] Parks, Lebanon, TN, niece Diamond A. Wells, Overland Park, KS; aunt & uncle Linda Boatwright & Paul E. Parks [Tammy] Strawberry Plains, TN, Brenda [James] Chambers, Judy [Leo] Whiteside and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and family members too numerous to count but all loved along with a very special young man whom Gabby always considered his only son Robert Hill.