James Thomas Parker, II

On the evening of Thursday, February 13, 2025, James Thomas Parker II of Hagerstown, Maryland, passed away surrounded by much of his loving family. 

He was the son of the late James Franklin Parker and Sally (Lister) Parker. He was born on October 2, 1942, in Oakland California into a military family and spent his growing up years traveling the country to various military bases where his father was stationed.

 He was a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy in 1960 and from the University of Maryland with a degree in Industrial Education in 1973. 

He served in the Navy Reserves from 1963 to 1968, with active duty from 1967-1968. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Jamie Parker. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Phyllis Parker, his two sons, Doug (Jill) and Chris (Colleen); his 7 grandchildren, Dyanna Brown (Jameson), Samantha Cotter (Chase), Zachary Parker (Lorna), Phoebe, Peter, Brody and Gwen Parker. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren, Rylee and Ayden Brown, Isla Parker and Maverick Cotter; and one beloved wheaten terrier, Cassie. Also survived by his brother, Bryan Parker (Karen) and his sister Sally Hambridge. 

He had a varied career but spent the last twenty-five years before retirement as a small business owner providing research and photographic reproduction services for the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. 

One of his great loves was sailing and he spent many happy hours on the Chesapeake Bay with his father-in-law in a 35-foot catamaran. After retirement, Phyllis and Jim spent time in their RV traveling the country. They also loved to dance and were very active over the last 30 years. Jim was the family photographer, chronicling all the Parker family celebrations and adventures, large and small. Jim had recently begun learning how to play the ukelele and the house was filled with his joyous plunking! Everyone has many wonderful memories of their times with him. A very special memory is when the entire family gathered for a week in Smith Mountain Lake this past summer. It was a wonderful time of sharing, laughing, reminiscing and lots of boating! He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made payable to the Towson University Foundation in support of the Jamie Parker Memorial Endowed Scholarship, P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219 or online at www.towson.edu/giving. If giving on-line, please note the fund name in the “Other” box.