PROBLEMS SOLVED. Thanks to all that responded to my calls for help. I read a lot on the forum, searched on-line through Google as I tried to diagnose all of my perceived issues, overthinking everything etc. and by process of elimination with the feeling leading more and more to the Stoplight switch as the first clue, I finally installed a new stop light switch by just reaching under the dash and removing and replacing the switch. I successfully got stop lights and when I tried to start it, It tried to start once and died, which was promising, but after I searched further, I saw that I had at some point removed the ring around the key area early on by over thinking that it was a key issue. After reinstalling this ring, I tried again, and it started right up and runs perfectly. All of my "'locked in Park", dash warning lights etc. issues all went away.

This was a very stressful ordeal for me but taught me to focus on the sure warning signs, which was the tail lights not working, and not to overthink the issue. "Fix what is wrong first, and what I had caused by messing with the key area, and go from there.
I have downloaded all of the available manuals, (wow, nice) and again thanks to all of the helpers and participants in this form that help us get "On the Road again".

Ed