Maxie L. Parks was born July 9, 1951, in Lee County, Arkansas.  At the age of 10 years he and his family moved to Fresno California where Maxie attended West Fresno Elementary and Jr. High Schools.   It was at this time that Maxie began to formally embrace his love for Track and Field and other sports.

Maxie is a 1970 graduate from Washington Union High School; while at Washington Union Maxie participated in Football, Wrestling and Track and Field.  Maxie was All American twice while in high school and league champion in Wrestling.   Maxie went on to Fresno City College 1970-1972 in and obtained an AA Degree. He was also the 1970 State Champion in the 400m and 1600m relay.  After Fresno City College Maxie received a full scholarship to UCLA and attended from 1972 to 1975 obtaining a BA degree in Sociology. While at UCLA, he was on the 1973 & 1974 NCAA Track and Field Championship teams.

After college Maxie was part of 4 USA Teams that toured Europe and trained for the 1976 Olympics in Montréal Canada where he placed 5th in the 400 meters and obtained a Gold medal in the 1600 meter relay.  Maxie continued to pursue his dream of Track and Field training for the 1980 Olympics until the United States boycott of the Olympic Games for that year.  Maxie retired from competing in Track in Field in 1980 however, he still makes himself available for consult.  Maxie has been inducted into the Hall of Fame in The City and County of Fresno, California Community Colleges Track and Field Hall of Fame, Fresno City College & Washington Union High School.

Since 1996, Maxie has been an active member of Westside Church of God, where he serves as Board Vice Chairman.  Due to his knowledge of and integrity in raising funds for the church, Maxie also serves as the chair for fundraising efforts.  Maxie receives a tremendous amount of support from his family, friends, church, and the community of Fresno.

Maxie is a happily married to his wife LoVern Mason-Parks for 43 years.  He has three daughters, a son, and is the proud grandfather of seven.

Congratulations to Maxie Parks, Washington Union High School 2016 Homecoming Grand Marshal!