Parks Brothers Funeral Home In Okemah Ok

Okemah's Original Party Planners: Parks Brothers Funeral Home

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to spin about a place in Okemah, Oklahoma, that's been around since the Roaring Twenties. No, it's not a speakeasy, though I wish it was. It's the one and only Parks Brothers Funeral Home, the town's original party planners. Well, sort of.

Now, don't go imagining a bunch of grim reapers dancing the Charleston. This place has seen more laughter than tears, and that's saying something in their line of work. You see, the Parks brothers, they had a secret. They were comedians at heart, and they brought that humor into their business.

Meet the Brothers

There were three of them: O.L., J.B., and Homer. O.L. was the brains, J.B. the brawn, and Homer, well, he was the heart. They started their funeral home in 1925, and it wasn't long before they realized they needed a gimmick to stand out in the small town.

So, they did what any enterprising brothers would do. They added a touch of showbiz to their services. They'd greet mourners with a smile and a joke, they'd play some lively tunes at the viewings, and they even had a special hearse that looked like a limousine. They called it the "Funeral Limo," and it was the talk of the town.

Funeral Limo: Okemah's First Stretch Limousine

You heard it right. The Parks brothers were so ahead of their time, they had Okemah's first stretch limousine. It wasn't just any hearse; it was a symbol of their unique approach to funerals. They'd pick up the deceased in style, and the mourners would follow in their own cars, like a funeral procession turned parade.

Parks Brothers Hardware Okemah Oklahoma at Alana Mcgovern blog

But here's where it gets really interesting. You know how some people have a green thumb, and everything they touch grows? Well, the Parks brothers had a golden touch. Every funeral they handled became a community event. People would come from miles around, not just to pay their respects, but to see what the brothers would do next.

From Funerals to Fish Fries

They started hosting fish fries after the funerals. Yep, you heard it right. The brothers figured, why not turn a somber occasion into a celebration of life? So, they'd serve up some fried catfish, hushpuppies, and all the fixings. The mourners would eat, laugh, and share stories about the deceased.

Word spread, and soon, the Parks Brothers Funeral Home was hosting the biggest fish fries in Okemah. People would come for the funerals, but they'd stay for the fish. It was a win-win, really. The brothers got to honor the deceased and feed the living.

Parks Brother Funeral Home | Wetumka & Okemah, OK

The Legacy Lives On

Sadly, the brothers are no longer with us, but their legacy lives on. The funeral home is still standing, though it's not run by the family anymore. The new owners keep the spirit of the brothers alive, though. They still serve fried catfish at their funerals, and they still make people laugh, even in the toughest times.

So, the next time you're in Okemah, Oklahoma, and you see a line of cars following a shiny black limousine, don't be alarmed. It's just another funeral procession turned parade, Okemah style. And if you're lucky, you might just get an invite to the fish fry.

And that, my friends, is the tale of Okemah's original party planners, the Parks Brothers Funeral Home. Proof that even in the most unexpected places, you can find laughter, community, and a whole lot of love.