Oliver Lynn ‘Chicken’ Parks
Oliver Lynn “Chicken” Parks, 84, of Lake City passed away Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.
Lynn was well known in the community for his abundant vegetable gardens and his towering sunflowers that brightened the roadside and brought smiles to passersby. He loved tractors and took great pride in helping with the Anderson County Fair’s tractor and garden displays each year alongside his friend Howard Farmer.
A 50-year member of the Coal Creek Masonic Lodge, Lynn was deeply involved with the Shrine Paper Sale, raising funds for Shriners Children’s Hospitals. He especially looked forward to greeting shoppers during the annual fundraiser at Food City.
He logged more than three million miles in a tractor-trailer over the course of his career, first hauling coast-to-coast with Metler Hauling and Rigging, and later delivering gasoline locally for Exxon. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Lynn often shared humorous tales of his time stationed in France, and was deeply patriotic. He frequently said, “I don’t need to travel, I saw it all in a truck.”
He loved our flag and all it represents. Lynn’s stories of his life on the road were always filled with humor and adventure. He cherished his friendships from Glenn’s Pizza, where he sat at the “liars’ table,” from Cracker Barrel in Lake City, and among his longtime neighbors and friends in South Clinton and Dutch Valley. A proud Laker, he would often clarify, “Rocky Top is a song, Lake City is a town.” He was Forever a Laker!
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Georgia Parks.
Survivors include his former wife of 47 years and devoted caregiver and friend, Faye Parks; daughter, Angela “Hoppy” Merryman and husband, Jeff; sister, Ella Ayers and husband, Phil; grandson, Kolby Merryman; and Brandon Isabell, whom he loved like a son, will cherish Lynn’s wit, smile, and joy for life along with his “country as cornbread” sayings that sprinkled humor and wisdom into everyone’s daily journey.
The family received friends from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Leach Family Funeral Home in Lake City. A funeral followed with Chaplain Ben Neal officiating. Interment followed at Grandview Memorial Garden.
Lynn often said, “I am just an old farmer who has been blessed all his life.” He loved passing the blessings on to others. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Anderson County High School FFA, 140 Maverick Circle, Clinton, TN 37716; Clinton High School FFA, 425 Dragon Drive, Clinton, TN 37716; or Shriners Children’s Hospitals at donate.shrinerschildrens.org.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wendy May and staff at UT Family Physicians; Dr. Daniel Ibach and the Tennessee Cancer Center team; Dr. Andrew Conrad, Tyler Irwin and the Vista Radiology team; Fort Sanders Radiology Department; Parkwest Medical Center staff; Dr. Brian Christiansen of Arches Foot Care in Oak Ridge; and Anderson County EMS for their compassionate care.
Special thanks to cousins Kay Foust and Sammy Foust, and dear friends John Martin, Randy Pettit and Glen Toler for their visits, joy and support over the past few months. You are loved and appreciated.
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