James "Jim" Paramore

James “Jim” Lewis Paramore, 85, passed away on Thursday, November 28. He was born on March 17, 1939 in Topeka, Kansas. He was the son of Lew and Dorothy Paramore. Jim attended Seaman High School and Baker University where he was a standout athlete and exceled as a football player. Upon graduation he entered into a career of teaching and coaching that spanned over forty years with stops at Roosevelt of Emporia HS, Linn HS, Herington HS, Dodge City Community College, Fort Hays State University, Southwestern College, Bethel College, Newton High School and Hesston High School, where his football team won the 1992 State Championship and his track team won three State Championships. In retirement he continued to help coach HS football at Canton-Galva and Perry-Lecompton. Jim was also an outstanding baseball umpire and basketball official. He worked the NAIA National Basketball Tournament for five years and did the National Championship game in 1986.

In 1960 he married his high school sweetheart, Leilani Frey. They had two sons, Marc of Perry, KS and Mike (Tracey) of Perry, KS. He was proud to be called Papa and enjoyed being a part of the lives of three grandchildren, Mazi Barnes (Tyler) and Rylee and Brett Paramore, and a great granddaughter, Waverly Barnes, all of Perry, KS.

Jim has three sisters, Donna Kampsen (Elmer) of Visalia, CA, Susie Knedlik (Larry) of Birmingham, AL and Nancy Bond (Gary) of Meriden, KS. He also has a brother in law, Rocky Frey (Patti) of Americus, GA along with numerous nephews and nieces.

There will be a celebration of life where family will greet friends from 10:00 am - noon at the Parker-Price and Davidson reception center on, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, KS on December 7.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to in memory of Jim Paramore for Baker U Football to:

Baker University

PO Box 65

Baldwin, Kansas 66006

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