James Michael Parker

James “Jim” Michael Parker was born in Vancouver, Washington to Monica T and Paul D Parker on September 30, 1933. He grew up with his brother Paul and sister Joan in a brick house that his father had designed and built himself. James spent a childhood living a life in the outdoors, helping his dad with the family bricklaying business fishing for salmon on their fishing boat The Sheleligh on the Columbia River, haying the fields on the family homestead farm in Battleground, Washington. He attended Central Catholic High School and was on the ski team where he enjoyed winning many downhill ski races.

In 1954 he met the love of his life Patsy Jayne Meaney at a friend's wedding, and they were married on December 28, 1957. He graduated from the University of Portland and became an Elementary School Teacher, teaching for 30 years. He loved teaching Oregon history as well as taking his classes to learn about the environment in Outdoor School.

Michael and Mary were soon added to the family and In 1962 the young family of 4 moved to San Jose. He was in the Air force Reserves during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was called up to Texas with the reserves. He loved to tell how that was his first airplane ride. With the addition of daughter Aileen, the Parkers moved back to the Northwest and bought the house in Milwaukie where Sheila then joined the family. James and Pat enjoyed their summers off. They loved taking the family camping to Pelton Dam, Sun Lakes and Timothy lakes. These trips were big affairs, often including up to 18 cousins,

Skiing was his lifelong favorite sport and in the winter he taught all 4 kids to ski at Cooper spur and Ski Bowl.

After the kids grew up, he and Pat had wonderful times taking trips in their camper, often meeting up with Sue and Don, touring state parks and sitting under the trees in front of a campfire enjoying not having to cook for multitudes of kids.

In 1998 Pat passed away, and without her their Milwaukie house was not the home it once was. Dad had a new home built on Fairview Creek, and was then closer to Mt Hood and spent as much time as possible skiing. He joined the Cascade Primetimers and spent years skiing with the group and his family, Joan and Dave and Sue and Don.

In the last few years James enjoyed many family lunches out with his children and was a known regular at the local Mcmenamins. He loved taking trips to the beach and peaceful drives up the Gorge with his kids..

His survivors include children Michael, Mary and her husband Richard, Aileen and her husband Tony, Sheila and her husband Jonathan, and two grandchildren, Duncan Ludlow and Serina Smith