Ron Park, age 84, died from brain cancer at his daughter’s home in Sioux Falls on December 29, 2013.
Ronald Paul Park was born to Reuben and Esther Park at the family’s Dell Rapids area farmhouse during a blizzard on February 27, 1929. He was baptized and confirmed at Dell Rapids Lutheran Church, and graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1946. In 1950 he graduated from South Dakota State University having earned a degree in Pharmacy.
Ron was united in marriage to Patricia Sue Olson on December 26, 1949. They began their married life in Sioux Falls where Ron worked for Dunning Drug. In 1952 Ron purchased Valley Drug in Valley Springs. The family returned to Sioux Falls in 1956 when Ron and Tom Mills formed a partnership and opened Mills Park Drug on east 10th street. They also operated two clinic pharmacies. The store became Ron Park Drug in 1974 and continued to serve its loyal customers for another twenty years. Ron was passionate about providing excellent service and his customers and employees were a highly valued second family to him. When it was “retirement” time Ron sold his business to Lewis Drug and continued working for them at their East Gate location for another decade just so he could still see folks! Ron was active in initiating an Ostomy Club for the Sioux Falls area and he partnered with Al Pfeifle to create Unomed, the first unit dose pharmacy in Eastern South Dakota.
Ron was a sincere and unassuming man who loved helping others and spending time with his family — especially at the cabin on Lake Poinsett.
Ron is survived by his wife Pat; daughters, Penny Sue (Leroy) Story of Sioux Falls; Lori Park-Smith (Will), of Willmar, MN; Juli (Mark) Kinzer of St. Paul, MN; his grandchildren, Jason (Kim) Gibson, Heather Park (Tim), Jason Story (Sarah), Jami Story (Shawn), Matthew, Harrison, and Parker Smith, Sofie and Jimmy Kinzer; and eight great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Terry Park; his siblings, Phyllis Gores, Lois Tursam and Roger Park; and his parents.
Funeral services will begin 10:00 am Friday at First Lutheran Church. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Thursday at Miller Funeral Home, Main Avenue location. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/argusleader/obituary.aspx?n=ron-park&pid=168831454&fhid=18053#sthash.UPm804nM.dpuf