James Lewis Parker

James Lewis Parker was born to John and Classie Parker in Salina, Kansas on October 29, 1923. He had 9 siblings. He graduated from Salina High School and began working at the Civilian Conservation Corps as a Jr. Engineer and as Assistant Education Advisor. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and discharged in 1945. While in the service he toured Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany. He met Berma Jeane Wells at the age of 13 years and on January 15, 1946 he married his childhood sweetheart. They were married for 41 years until she passed away after a long illness on their 41st anniversary. During their marriage they raised eight daughters. James Parker attended Brown Mackey School of Business, Kansas Weslyn University where he studied Business Administration and CPA accounting in Salina, Kansas. On January 15,1951 he moved to Freeport, Illinois where he began work as the Director of the East Side Recreation Center he left in October 1966. He also worked at Sundstrand Aviation in Rockford, Illinois from January 1967-1983 when he retired. He was also a member and held offices on several community organizations in Freeport Illinois: Human Rights Commission Construction Workers Apprenticeship Association Freeport Community College Education System Jane Adams Mental Health Association Freedom of Residence Knights of Residence Knights of Pythius Veteran of Foreign Affairs Toastmasters Governors Commission on Entrepreneurship During his employment as Director of the East Side Recreation Center James Parker impacted several young lives in the community. His membership in the various community organizations brought positive changes to Freeport, effecting many lives. He was an active member of St. James CME church upon his arrival to Freeport, Illinois until illness in 2005, resulting in his move to Victory Center Assisted Living Facility in Park Forest, Illinois to live near his daughters. He continued to maintain contact with his Freeport friends through Facebook, phone calls, and mail. He passed away surrounded by loved ones on April 7, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents Classie and John Parker, brothers: Eddie, Paul, Ralph, Sisters Maxine and Lucille. Daughters: Constance and Cheri Dian, and wife Berma Jeane Wells. He is survived by daughters: Jami Parker, Beryl Parker, Kathleen(Jerry)Lyte, Rosalind(William)Crutcher, Donna Parker, Janice Parker, and Gloria Shelton. son in law Cleveland Ware (Cheri),14 grandchildren, 20 great grand children, and 2 great-great grand children, plus several nieces and 1 nephew. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday April 12, 2014 at St. James CME Church 1001 E. Empire Street Freeport, IL 61032. Visitation will e held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. please contact the church for further information. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his guestbook and to share memories.