Okoboji, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — A well-known Lake’s area businessman has passed away. Butch Parks was 81 and died Tuesday after a lengthy illness.
Operating from his home base at Park Marina on East Lake Okoboji he at one time also owned Okoboji Boats, The Central Emporium, and O’Farrell Sister’s Restaurant. Wahpeton Mayor Phil Johnson says Parks was able to “think big” including an idea to create “South Okoboji Lake” in the Little Sioux River valley.
After Johnson sold Miller’s Bay Restaurant, he helped Parks open the immediately popular Barefoot Bar. He said when Butch was excited about a project, he was “all in.”
Parks said that he needed a more reliable income in 1983, so he quit farming and bought a small marina on East Lake Okoboji. He said he learned that he could sell as a young man going door to door selling pots and pans.
Funeral services for Butch Parks are Friday January 16th with a memorial gathering at Snapper’s Cafe at the Marina complex.
