James Parker

James Parker, 48, of Warren, MN, passed away after a six year battle with cancer on Saturday morning, July 19, 2025 at his home.

James Robert Parker was born on September 26, 1976, in Jackson, MI, the son of Edwin and Debbie (Keirl) Parker. An older brother, Leonard. The family moved to Ypsilanti, MI (suburb of Ann Arbor) shortly after James' 1st birthday. After his parents' divorce, James remained with his father in Michigan. After his 8th grade year, they moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He completed 9th & 10th grades. His dad was in seminary school during this time. Before James' 11th grade year, he and his dad moved to Washington where his dad was on Vicarage. James' stepmom Janet and stepbrother Jon later joined them. They remained a year and moved back for James to finish his senior year at Northrop High School in Fort Wayne. His mom remained in Oklahoma raising his half-sister, Amiee. After James graduated high school, Edwin received a calling to Southern, MN. James took a gap year before attending Minnesota State University in Moorhead, MN, later attending SW MN State and UND.

After his schooling, he went to work at US Bank. In 2000, he met his true love, Holly Jones, on the dance floor at Old Broadway through mutual friends at US Bank. They were married in Warren at First Lutheran Church on October 20, 2001. The young family made their home in the Fargo-Moorhead area before moving to Holly's hometown of Warren, then Stephen and eventually back to Warren. Their three daughters were his pride and joy! Alexis (24), Elizabeth (21) and Kinley (14). He worked at several schools, starting with student-teaching in Warren, then to Lancaster, Stephen-Argyle Central, Eden Valley-Watkins before becoming a math professor at Northland Community and Technical College in East Grand Forks, MN.

He was very active in the communities that they lived in which includes being a volunteer fireman for a total of 12 years both Warren and Stephen, a training officer for the dept before retiring, Lions member, Men's Golf league, and board member of some of the churches they attended when they lived there. James is a member of Warren Covenant Church. James had a passion for teaching. He enjoyed coaching football, baseball, girls' basketball and softball.

In 2019, James was diagnosed with cancer. Although he endured many medical procedures and transplants over the last six years, he did not let it define who he was. He was a great caregiver to his wife Holly during her cancer battle. James also volunteered for many research labs, having to take extra labs and sometimes more data. His phrase was "If I can help one person, then it's worth it" The family would like to thank the staff of Altru Cancer Center, Hospital and Mayo Clinic for all the wonderful care and friendship bestowed upon their family over the last several years.

Though James enjoyed many activities his favorites were any that his girls were in. If he wasn't coaching, he was their biggest fan. Except when it came to trivia or board games, James was all in to win. He loved to go on trips, taking his family by vehicle to approx. 20 states. Many multiple times, enjoying Science Museums, zoos, amusement parks and sporting events. James took his family on annual trips to Valley Fair prior to his cancer battle. The most visited place was Ann Arbor, MI.

James was a diehard Wolverines fan and just this fall made it inside the Big House for the very first time with his daughter. He crossed off another wish, watching Michigan basketball in Iowa with another daughter. Not in the Big House but James loved cheering "Go Blue" whenever he could. And the third daughter was given softball pitching lessons by a U of Michigan pitcher. James taught all three of his daughters the fight song by age 3.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Holly; three daughters, Alexis Parker (fiancé, Tanner Becker), Elizabeth Parker, and Kinley Parker; Father and stepmother, Ed & Janet Parker, mother, Debbie Reynolds; siblings, Leonard Parker, Amiee Garofalo and Jon (Katie) Heuple ; parents-in-law, Rodney and Carolyn Jorgenson; sisters and brother-in-law, Wendy Steer, Melissa Schwengler (Brandon Miller), Scott (Stephanie) Jorgenson and stepsister-in-law Shana (Joe) Ramsey and 17 nieces and nephews.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:00 AM on Friday, July 25, 2025 at Warren Covenant Church in Warren, MN.

VISITATION: One hour before the service.

INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, MN