Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Among the elite marksmen of the United States Marine Corps, Robert Leslie Parks was exceptional. The 22-year active-duty veteran of World War II and Korea was “double distinguished” in both rifle and pistol shooting and held innumerable military, national and world titles in trap and skeet.

Along with Chief Warrant Officer Robert McIntyre, Parks played an important role in establishing the skeet range aboard Camp Lejeune.

Parks, known as “Jack” to those who called him friend, died April 16 at the age of 88. He was buried at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetary at Montford Point after funeral services at Camp Lejeune’s Protestant Chapel.

“He wouldn’t hesitate to stop and help you; tell you what you were doing wrong,” said Mike Singhas, manager at the skeet range, of his long-time friend. “He was very well-liked by all of the shooters here, even the young shooters.”

To memorialize the passing of such a great marksman and proponent of all the shooting sports, friends of Parks and skeet range officials plan to conduct the first Jack Parks Memorial Shoot, starting at the range tomorrow and lasting into the weekend.

During the shoot, Field No. 3 will be dedicated to Parks and a memorial placard will be erected.

“Mr. Parks always shot here on Field 3,” explained Singhas. Up to 45 competitors will be allowed to register for the shoot. At press time, 32 of those slots had been filled. Shooters must be members in good standing of the National Skeet Shooting Association. Family members from the Parks clan, as well as public officials and special guests are expected to attend.

According to his bio, Parks retired from the Marine Corps on July 31, 1960 as a chief warrant officer.

Before he became ill in March, Parks taught concealed weapons courses and gun safety to hundreds of shooters in North Carolina. He was a well-respected citizen who was often sought out by both local and state politicians for opinions on important issues of the day.

But, in spite of his active civic schedule and professional life as a well-digger, Parks always found time to shoot skeet at the range at Camp Lejeune.

“He would shoot here at least two or three times a week, every week, all the way up to the time he got sick [two months before he died],” said Singhas.

It is widely-believed the last time he shot a round of 25 targets at the range, Parks broke 22 clay pigeons — a worthy score for even the most accomplished shooters, let alone for an 88 year old. He won his age group in the last competition he entered.

For more information on the shoot, call Singhas at 451-3889.