The Okoboji community is mourning the sudden death of Leo “Butch” Parks, a longtime resident, entrepreneur, and the owner of Parks Marina, who died Wednesday. His passing leaves a profound void in a region he helped shape for more than four decades.
Parks was a beloved husband to his wife, Debbie Parks, and a devoted father to their children. Together, Butch and Debbie built not only a successful family business but also a legacy that became deeply woven into the identity of Okoboji and the greater Iowa Great Lakes area.
The Parks family owned and operated Parks Marina, including its Sioux Falls location, as well as the iconic Barefoot Bar on East Lake Okoboji. The family also owned Okoboji Boat Works for 24 years before selling the business last year. Through these ventures, Parks played a pivotal role in transforming Okoboji into one of the Midwest’s most recognized lake destinations.
Parks Marina on East Lake Okoboji was established in 1983, when Butch Parks purchased what was then Gibson Sporting Goods. What began as a small fishing boat sales and repair operation grew into one of the region’s most influential marine businesses, known not only for boats and service, but for developing people.
That impact was reflected in a widely shared tribute from Nick Christensen, who credited Parks with shaping his career and character.
“You never really understand the impact someone has on your life until they’re gone,” Christensen wrote. “You always preached that at Parks Marina we build rockstars, and if you look around our community and state, the rockstars started at your establishments.”
Christensen described Parks as a demanding but deeply invested mentor, known for unforgettable one-liners and a relentless work ethic. Former employees recall phrases like, “If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean,” and “It’s not my fault, but it’s my problem,” sayings that still echo throughout local businesses today.
Beyond business, Parks was credited with helping redefine Okoboji’s lake culture. In the early 2000s, he built what many consider one of Iowa’s most famous destinations—the Barefoot Bar—creating a boat-up, family-friendly environment that became a cornerstone of summer life on the lake.
“Condos, boat-up bars, OBW, the Gardens, and even Arnolds Park have been impacted because of you,” Christensen wrote. “You were first. You never wanted to be first, but you loved watching memories being made.”
Friends and colleagues describe Parks as someone who took pride not just in success, but in seeing others succeed. Many say the lessons they learned working for him—attention to detail, personal responsibility, and leaving places better than they found them—stayed with them for life.
“Okoboji has lost a very special person,” Christensen wrote. “You’ve left Okoboji better than when you arrived.”
As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from across Iowa and beyond, honoring a man whose influence extended far past docks and dealerships. For many, Butch Parks was not just a business owner, but a builder of community, opportunity, and lasting memories.
His legacy will continue to live on through his family, the businesses he built, and the countless people who proudly say they got their start at Parks.