Ernest Carol Park, 85, of Clyde passed away August 23rd, 2026, at his home in Clyde. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Clyde Methodist Church with Rev. Monty Barnett officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca. A visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Bailey Howard Funeral Home.

Ernest was born October 22, 1940, in San Angelo to Ernest Houston and Carolina Theodora (Fuchs) Park. He graduated from Wylie High School in 1959 and then attended McMurry University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree as well as the nickname ‘’Big Ern.’’ He married the love of his life, Betty June Bell, in Avoca on September 28, 1963. He was a professional football player for seven years and played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals. After the NFL, he coached football for Abilene High School for three years before entering into several ventures in the oil business with Wayne Moore Pipe and Supply, American Mud, Pyramid Drilling and his own company, LP Drilling. In the late nineties he returned to coaching at Clyde High School, officially retiring in 2007. He was also co-owner of Quality Cooling and Heating and was a beloved member of the Clyde Methodist Church.

Ernie enjoyed ranching with his partner in crime and brother-in-law, Ted Dement, at their acreages in Burkett and Baird. He loved athletics as well as the arts, once having taken ballet lessons to improve balance while playing in the NFL. He had a great appreciation of music, ranging from opera to classical to jazz. He often woke the house singing ‘’Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day’’ from one of his favorite musicals, Oklahoma. In his last few weeks he didn’t feel much like singing, but every morning, rain or shine, he would always say to his wife, ‘’it’s a beautiful day.’’

He also enjoyed gardening, building fires and bird-watching from his favorite seat at the kitchen bar. His wife June found this scribbled note one morning last winter that read, ‘’Fireplace looking good. Hot steaming coffee. 5 o’clock am…. All is good.’’

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, June Park of Clyde; two sons, Eric Allen Park of Mansfield and Elliott Hubert Park and wife Pamela of Lynnville, Tennessee; one daughter, Leigh Suanne Bayouth and husband David of Wolfforth TX; one sister, Jeorgia Brassell of Midland; ten grandchildren, Aiden, Caroline, John, Anna, Autumn, April, William, Andrew, Alayna and Thomas and two sisters-in-law, Ira Sue Bell and Jane Dement, both of Clyde.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Houston and Carolina Thedora; his brother, Eugene Park and his sister, Ophelia Bilbrey.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in his memory to Clyde Methodist Church, https://www.clydemethodist.com/donate