James William Parr, Sr.

James William Parr James (Jim) Parr was born in De Valls Bluff Arkansas on May 8, 1935, to Welmon and Esther Parr. Times were hard in 1935 and Jim grew up on a sharecropper†™s farm. Jim left school during the seventh grade to go to work to help support his family. His family moved to Chicago in the early fifties. Jim worked for the railroad loading mail on the City of New Orleans, just like the Woody Guthrie song. When he turned seventeen he convinced his mother to sign the documents allowing him to join the US Navy, following in his brothers footsteps. He attended basic training at the Great Lakes facility and began a twenty-year career as an Aviation Boatswain†™s Mate. Jim†™s first duty station was in Newton Kansas. The joke was that he had joined the Navy to see the world from the top of a pecan tree. Jim†˜s desire to see the world later resulted in several Pacific tours on various aircraft carriers, including the USS Midway and USS Hornet. His shore duty stations included California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, the Philippine Islands, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Texas and numerous other places. While stationed in Kansas, Jim married Phyllis Mynatt a nursing student in nearby Halstead, Kansas. They had three children James, Jr, Jean and Mark. The family moved every two or three years and it was always made into an adventure. Jim retired from the Navy in 1973 and the family moved to Colorado Springs. Jim had completed his GED in the military and after retirement found that he loved to learn. He then obtained his Associate†™s, Bachelor†™s and then Master†™s degrees. He also taught Fire Sciences at the local community college. He later went to work for the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System. He traveled the State of Colorado approving VA benefits for veterans learning new trades. After retiring from the State of Colorado, Jim volunteered for Channel Six, at the State Capitol, for the Jefferson County Sheriff†™s Office and for the Lakewood Police Department. He was also active in his church. He liked to stay busy and wanted to †œgive back†�. After being single for several years Jim met Noni Jaime. After developing a deep love they were married in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on February 24, 2001. Jim and Noni lived in a hillside home overlooking the Denver metro area in Lakewood, Colorado. Added to his family are Noni†™s son Chad and daughter Natalie. Through the years ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren came along. Along with the good things came the bad, Jim was diagnosed with ALS in late 2012. He fought the disease with dignity and people would comment on his good humor, despite the circumstances. Jim passed away in his home with his beloved wife, Noni on December 16, 2013. Jim Parr leaves a legacy of friends who loved his stories and friendship. He also leaves a large family who loves him very much and morn his passing. His sister Nell Hargrove, brother Herbert Parr and many nieces and nephews will also miss him. His son Mark A. Parr, great grandson Korbyn Carrier, brother Terrel Parr and sister Alyce von Tungeln, precedes him in death. Jim Parr will be buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery with full military honors. May he have smooth seas and safe harbor.