Parkway West High School Class of 1985

  Link It is with great sorrow to announce the passing of Gerald Leo Wilkes Jr. through his battle with cancer on January 2, 2020. Gerry’s death took place in Jacksonville, FL at the age of 52. He was born in St. Louis, MO on June 17, 1967, son of Sue Wilkes and Gerald Wilkes Sr. Gerry was a devoted family man to his wife and three children. Earlier in his life, he attended the University of Kansas to receive his bachelor’s degree in Communications. He then moved to Florida to begin his career as a real estate appraiser. This father was an avid sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Kansas Jayhawks, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the St. Louis Blues. In his last year of his life, Gerry got to experience what he had dreamed of since his birth and the birth of the team in 1967, the Blues’ first Stanley Cup win. Gerry had strong ties to his family back in St. Louis since he grew up in a house with five siblings. With 11 nieces and nephews, Gerry always c...

 

 

  Link Simpson, Brad Alan Saturday, June 7, 2014. Dear son of Karen Bagot and the late Bill Simpson; dear brother of Scott (Elizabeth) and Brian Simpson; dear uncle of Ted, Ethan and Adelyn Simpson; our dear nephew, cousin and friend. Services: Memorial gathering will be held at Helen Fitzgerald's (3650 S. Lindbergh in Kirkwood) on Wednesday night, June 11, from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Brad Simpson to F.S.H. Society (450 Bedford St., Lexington, MA 02452) appreciated. KUTIS AFFTON SERVICE.

Link Gregg had a way with people. From his early childhood days and throughout his adult life, he made connections easily and cultivated a wide circle of friends. These were tried-and-true buddies who were like family to Gregg, and they in turn had a special fondness for him, calling him nicknames like “Lil Pro” or “Pohlie.” He was extremely loyal and protective of his family and friends. My brother was an avid sports enthusiast – both as a player and spectator. I remember attending almost all of his high school wrestling matches; they were intense, exciting, and nerve wracking all at once! Then he discovered his true love, golf, and eventually went on to obtain his PGA playing card and work at notable clubs in Missouri, Florida, Ohio, New York, and Kansas. Fishing was another passion that he was able to indulge during his years in Florida. And while he likely cheered on local teams when he was living in different states, his undying support and allegiance to the Mizzou Tigers and St. ...

  Link Kevin passed away after a long illness. He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Loretta "Lori", 2 sons, Jacob "Jake" and Cole, his father Ross and brother Michael. Memorial donations can be made to Bonfils Blood Center, 717 Yosemite St. Denver, CO 80230 or www.bonfils.org Eulogy given by Jacob in his father's remembrance: Good morning. I’m happy to see all of these wonderful faces here this morning, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought intensively about what to say, how to tell the story of my father’s life. The truth is there isn’t enough time to tell the story of his life in the traditional sense. I cannot tell every anecdote, every moment, or every experience. Every word said, every tear shed, or every laugh captured by my ears, and the ears of all of you. There is just so much that he did, so many experiences he had, and so many lives that he touched. I can’t begin to tell those stories, but I can tell...

  Link Last night heaven gained an angel, my daddy. Thank you for giving me a happy childhood, one I’ll always remember. I’ll never forget the nights when we were little and you’d play guitar while we were in the bathtub. I can still hear you singing Check Yes or No and Kiss the Girl while we splashed around. Then there were the chocolate chip pancakes the size of our heads and wacky Wednesday’s when you’d cover us in spaghetti. The Jeep rides with the doors off and taking the 4 wheeler out for a spin around the neighborhood. You taught me how to shoot a gun and made the best dang cheeseburgers there ever were. You’re the reason I have such a love for Garth Brooks, Toby Keith and Matchbox 20. I’ll miss the trips to Table Rock Lake, driving your boat and the funny bandanas you would wear on your head. I’ll miss your smile, your laugh, your hugs. You were so goofy and I loved that.  I’m so thankful I got a few more special moments with you when you moved to St. Louis. Calah love...

Hello 1985 classmates. I have created this blog to publish class news and obituaries. Here is a list of our deceased class members. I have done my best to find records in various places. Please contact me with any information about people on this list or any additions. You can leave a comment on this post for anyone not yet included or on any specific post if the information pertains to that person. All help is appreciated! In Memoriam: Ted Brownlee Greg Emde Scott Felly Tom Kang Kevin Malpocker Richard Nangle Mike Pazak Gregg Pohl Jeff Pohl Kevin Russom Brad Simpson Jon Timken Bill Tyler Dave Walls Gerry Wilkes

  Link Tyler, William James 52, left us unexpectedly and all too soon, but will live forever in our hearts. His life ended on March 5, 2019, in Huntington Beach, California. Bill graduated from Parkway West High School in 1985. He earned a degree in film production from Arizona University and also attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Moving to California to pursue his career in film, one of his first movie credits was on the crew of Forest Gump. He also worked on many other notable movies and national TV commercials. While living in Hermosa Beach, he started volunteering for police force efforts, and eventually changed career paths, choosing community over commercial for his personal commitment. He attended the Los Angeles Police Academy, graduating second highest in his class. After over ten years as an officer in the LAPD, he transferred to the L.A. Port Police Department dedicated to maritime law enforcement, where he proud...

  Link Emde, Gregg Alan of Ridgeland, SC formerly of Ballwin, Feb. 3, 2021, age 53. Beloved son of Richard and Dottie Emde, father of Steven (Holly) and Joshua Emde, Big Papi to Raegan Emde, brother to Chris (Jeff) Baustert, uncle to Kat and Mae Baustert, Coach, mentor and friend to many. Born in Dayton OH, he grew up in Ballwin. A lifelong swimmer he went on to play water polo for Parkway West. Water Polo was an integral part of his life. He helped lead his PWHS team to the first school State Championship, played at Denison University, transferred to Ohio U where he started a club team. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon and found lifelong brothers and was known for his infectious laugh. Upon graduation he married and moved to Boston before returning to St. Louis to raise a family and create Mad Dog Water Polo to give teens a chance to learn his favorite sport. MDWP went on the compete at the Jr. Olympics for over a decade and gave his sons an opportunity to play competitively. Gregg b...

Felly, Scott Kirk Springfield, MO. Passed away, Good Friday, April 10, 2009 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO after a brief illness. Born September 30, 1966, in Madison, WI. He graduated from Parkway West H.S., Chesterfield, MO in 1985, attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. Scott was proud to have earned his Eagle Scout Badge. He loved the outdoors especially boating, fishing and hunting. His career followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Russell Kammer (Papa); as a General Contractor, Developer and Estimator. Scott helped to build houses, condos, strip malls and office complexes. Most recently he was a Projected Manager with Carroll and Sons Construction, in Springfield. They did mall build-outs in many states. He enjoyed the traveling and meeting people. Scott remained hopeful and still had his dry since of humor, he never gave up. He will be remembered by parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk S. and Karen (Kammer) Felly; brother, Todd R. (Denise) Felly; all from ...

  Link Richard P. Nangle, Jr., age 55, of Malden, Massachuetts passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Richard was born March 2, 1967 to Gloria and Richard Nangle in St. Louis, MO. After high school Richard went on to study Music and Political Science. He finished his studies with an M.M. Composition from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Postgraduate Diploma in Composition from the Hochschule Fur Musik in Berlin and a D.M.A. in Composition from Boston University. He worked as a TA and in Residence Life during his college studies. He worked for the next 20+ years as Faculty in Music for Boston University and University of Massachusetts-Lowell. His love for teaching the Musical Arts and warm hearted manner encouraged many students especially in playing the guitar and studying music theory. His talks, commentator roles, and publications abroad and in the United States focused on the German-Austrian composer Hanns Eisler in Berlin which he conducted research under the German...

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Link David D. Walls, 57, Washington, passed away Nov. 13, 2023. David, son of the late Carroll Walls and Barbara Jane Thacker, was born Oct. 12, 1966, in Poplar Bluff. He graduated from Parkway West High School in 1985. He later went on to graduate from St. Charles County Police Academy in 1991. David served as a police officer, field training officer, and detective in St. Louis City and County police departments for 15 years. He retired from the police force to own and operate LaBarque Creek Horse Farm with his father, wife, and sons. David enjoyed flying planes, running marathons, hiking with the "Lizard Men," and coaching or watching his sons in multiple sports. Among his survivors are two sons, Jacob Walls and significant other Molly Wainscott, Zachary Walls, all of St. Louis; mother, Barbara Jane Walls, Washington; two siblings, Cara Craig, Independence, Becky Baker and husband Mike, Washington; ex-wife, Jenna Walls, Pacific; nieces and nephews, Amanda Baker, Elizabeth B...