Denny Raymond Park

Denny Raymond Park of Canyon, Texas passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025. He lived to the amazing age of 91, and live, he did. Denny’s enthusiasm and joy for life will be celebrated with a memorial service on Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church of Canyon.

Denny was born in Breckenridge, Texas on February 7, 1934 to Martin and Billie Park. He was the second child, always tagging along behind his older brother, Sam. After Denny’s arrival on the scene came Merle and Pearl, who were twin sisters, and later, little sister Dian. The five children and their parents made a life in Wickett, Texas where Martin (“Papa” to everyone) was a carpenter for the Gulf oil company and built houses for oilfield workers. Denny learned from his father the intricacies of working with wood at a young age, and for the rest of his life, he created anything he could imagine with his hands.

He attended Monahans High School, graduating in 1951. He then went to work in the oil fields of West Texas and met the love of his life, Sue Simpson. When Denny was drafted in 1956, they married and went on their first big adventure across the ocean to Japan. After serving for two years in the U.S. Army in Tokyo, he earned a BA degree from Texas Tech. Denny and Sue settled for a time in Abernathy, where they both taught for Abernathy ISD. Their daughter Jan came along in 1961, and the family eventually moved to Odessa, where they were teachers again. When Sue received a job opportunity with WTAMU, they bought their first house in Canyon and Denny taught scores of students at Canyon Junior High and Canyon High School. He earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics from WTAMU during that time. Denny retired from CISD in 1992, but he continued to teach as an adjunct Math instructor at WT, finally taking a rest from trying to get kids to love math in the early 2000s.

Denny’s favorite/only grandchild, Burke Moore, was born in 1986 and became one of his most ardent pupils. He spent countless hours showing Burke the wonders of simply being alive, encouraging him to practice “serendipity” in meeting whatever experiences they encountered with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Denny and Sue were avid travelers; he built an airplane from foam, fiberglass and a dream of flying. After four years in the garage, the finished Long-EZ took them to see the country. They frequently rode his motorcycle to Colorado and New Mexico for the weekend. They went to Europe several times, soaking up the history and beauty of the continent. South America was a memorable trip, and they brought back Chilean wine and many memories. They cruised to Mexico and to Alaska, reveling in the excitement of seeing the world together. Denny was never still, always wanting to do more and to experience something new that he might learn.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Sam Park of Hudson Oaks; and a sister, Merle Williams of Junction. He is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Sue Park; a daughter, Jan Moore and her partner, Jennifer Moore of Borger; a grandson, Burke Moore of Shanghai, China; his sister, Pearl Barnard of Fair Oaks Ranch; his youngest sister, Dian Cooper of Waxahachie, and a host of nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. Wherever Denny was and whoever was included, laughter presided.

The family suggests donations to the WTAMU Foundation, WT Box 60766, Canyon, TX 79016 or at www.wtamu.edu/give, designated in memory of Denny Park as a way to help us continue his legacy of lifelong learning.