After a long, hard fought battle with cancer, Jim died peacefully in his home surrounded by his two daughters and beloved dog, Sheena, on November 20, 2022 at the age of 77. Jim maintained enormous hope, faith and positivity as he fought with all his heart to extend his time on Earth to stay with his cherished family and friends. His positive attitude and irrepressible sense of humor continued to shine even throughout the often painful and arduous treatments that he endured for over a year. His charming personality endeared him to the nursing staff on the 4th floor at Lacks Cancer Center where he was something of a celebrity and someone who the nurses competed to have on their service when they had their morning meeting.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Parks and Edward Parks as well as his many beloved canine companions. Jim is survived by his siblings, Susan Doyle and Stephan Parks. He was the proud father of three children Amy Parks-Williams (Tom), Sarah Parks-Pittman (Jason) and Matthew Parks. James also delighted in his four grandchildren, Akasha Khalsa, Madelyn Williams, Emily Williams and Sawyer Parks, as well as his foster-grandson, Mohammad Ali Didar.
Jim graduated from Kentwood High School in 1964. He was blessed with a tight-knit group of supportive and loving friends that he graduated with. They continued to get together throughout the years even until the very end of his cancer journey. Jim pursued his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University where he studied German, Philosophy and English. After transferring to Western Michigan University, he graduated in 1968. Jim went on to study at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master's of Divinity in 1972. His next ten years were spent as Associate Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, where he was known endearingly as PJ (Pastor Jim). After retiring from the ministry, he pursued a career in sales and as an entrepreneur owning multiple businesses over the years.
Jim married Leslie Kinsey (Dryg) in 1969. Together they had 3 children. Although divorced, they remained friends and enjoyed many holidays together surrounded by their adult children and cherished grandchildren.
Jim was a lover of all creatures great and small. He cared especially for many beloved dogs over the years. His menagerie of animal companions also included two monkeys, macaws and other exotic birds, several feline friends and horses. Jim's love of animals was inherited by his three children who have all had many cherished pets over the years as well.
As a teenager, Jim taught himself to play the organ and became an adept organist and pianist. He also loved to cook and made a pretty mean fudge! Jim also loved antiques and had a serious penchant for the "good ol' days".
Jim had a special gift for connecting with people in his uniquely empathic way. He made friends everywhere he went and was always a helper of those in need. Throughout his lifetime, he touched the lives of many whose paths he crossed and often worked tirelessly to help those closest to him. Later in life, he was the sole caregiver for his elderly mom taking care of her for 10 years. He enjoyed his large vegetable garden and his 40 acres of beautiful landscape up north. He relished his time there on the farm, delighting in seeing deer, red fox, bobcats, black squirrels and other wildlife. Jim lovingly refused to mow the wild clover and milkweed on his property insisting on leaving it for the honeybees and monarch butterflies. It became his happy place and in his last years he put his heart into enjoying the little things in nature and all that he cultivated there.
With an incredibly difficult struggle with cancer now behind Jim, there were a number of caregivers that crossed his path that the family would like to express their deepest gratitude to for their constant support during his battle. The nurses and staff on the fourth floor of Saint Mary's Lacks Center had an especially positive impact on Jim and made his numerous treatments more bearable. While the many hospital staff were important to his care, Jim's last wish was to spend the final moments of his life up north on his farm, surrounded by friends, family and constant licks from his dog Sheena. Perhaps the most important thanks from our family goes to Jason Wentworth who made this possible. Jason tirelessly provided transportation to Jim's many appointments and, in his final days and hours, provided him with extensive loving care. Jason, with the generous help of Steve Rule, who also took care of Sheena during Jim's long absences from home during his treatments, is forever in our debt for the love he showed to our dad, his longtime friend.
Jim had an adventurous spirit and insisted on living life on his own terms even up until his last month when he refused to stop driving despite his doctor's advice. His strength of spirit, kindness and irrepressible sense of humor will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him.
Visitation and funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Grace Episcopal Church, 1815 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Visitation begins at 11am. Funeral services will begin at noon with a luncheon immediately following. Jim was a lifelong Spartan fan, and he does not care about a certain "Game" going on at the same time as his funeral, so he recommends that you set your DVRs accordingly.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Hope for Paws Animal Rescue in Jim's name. https://www.hopeforpaws.org/
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