Charles C. Parks, 90

Charlie Parks departed this life on March 11, 2007, in Anchorage, Alaska, while on his last great adventure. He was a previous, longtime resident of the Bigfork area. He was born July 14, 1916, in New York.

Charlie was a decorated bombardier in World War II and had quite an interesting life.

He taught school at Batavia, Swan Lake, Bigfork, and previously at Hardin in the early years, and was retired from teaching.

He then fulfilled a longtime dream by having the Four Seas Chinese restaurant at his house, reservation only. He entertained many local people, the descendants of the King of Maui, and had the movie crew and actors when they were filming Kris Kristofferson's movie, "Heaven's Gate" here.

Charlie was well known all over the area for his cooking and cheerful help to many people.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy; grandchildren, Jeff, Karen and Reyanna; and two great-grandsons, Colton and Jakob.

He will be buried in the Veterans Cemetery in Columbia Falls in the Montana he loved.

He always marched to a different drummer and he will be missed.