Allen Joe Park

Allen Joe "Red" Park Jr., 86, of Cross Road Retirement Village in Asheboro, NC, formerly of Statesville, NC, died July 13, at Randolph Hospital, following a long and determined battle against cancer. Red was born on January 13, 1925 in Asheville, N C, the son of the late Allen Joe Park, Sr. and Vivian Vastine Park. Red was preceded in death by his wife Peggy of 63 years, and his brother, Mickey. Another brother Pat, and his wife Rose Marie survive Red. Red attended All Souls Anglican Church, while retaining his membership at Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestries and in other roles for 46 years. Red is also survived by his four children and their families: Joe Park III (Gay) of Savannah, GA; Scott Park of Catawba, NC; Rebecca Powell of Seneca, SC; and John Park (Lisa) of Asheboro, NC. The family wishes to acknowledge the special relationship between Red and Lisa Park, who did so much to make Red's final years richer and more independent. Red also enjoyed his eight grandchildren; Jay Park (Sarah) of Murrells Inlet, SC and Thea Park Deloreto (Anthony) of Greensboro, NC; Matt Park (Jessica) and Jennifer Park Brown of Statesville; Maggie Powell and Anna Powell of Seneca, SC; and Hampton Park and Ashlyn Park of Asheboro, NC. Red was blessed with 3 great grandchildren, whom he loved very much: Colby Park and Bryson Brown of Statesville, and Alice Deloreto of Greensboro, NC. Red is also survived by his faithful dog, Piper, the latest in a long line of canine companions. Red served his country in the Navy during World War II. In May, 2010 he was proud to be honored by the Flight of Honor program, which flies WWII veterans to the nation's capital to be honored for their service to their country. Red retired from a successful career in industrial paint sales and had many hobbies including boat building, woodworking, photography, and gardening. Sailboats were a love of Red's and he was an avid sailor and racer. Red served as Commodore of Lake Norman Yacht Club in 1973. He was a very talented craftsman, having mastered many nautical forms, including an award winning vintage reproduction Whitehall rowboat, a 32' Dutch Sloop, a 25' Herreshoff Catboat, and several Optimist Prams for his grandchildren. He also built beautiful scale dollhouses for his granddaughters, reproduction dulcimers, and turned many wood pieces including communion vessels for Trinity Church. His feel for and love of wood is evidenced in the many pieces he left behind. Red was a Master Gardener and an ombudsman for North Carolina, serving as an advocate for residents in nursing facilities in the Statesville area. Even as his condition worsened, Red paid personal attention to his fellow residents at Cross Road Retirement Village, often checking on their well-being personally. Red's family would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Cross Road Retirement Village to enhance the quality of Red's life during his time there, and to especially recognize the role Red's friends and fellow residents played in his life. A gathering to celebrate Red's life is planned for August 6th at 4:00pm at Cross Road Retirement Village in Asheboro, NC. Red's funeral service is planned for August 7, 2:00 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Statesville, NC. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, 801 Henkel Rd, Statesville, NC 28677; All Souls Anglican, 2898 Old Cox Road, Asheboro, NC 27205, or favorite charity. Pugh Funeral Home of Asheboro is serving the Park family