Obituary for James "Jim" Parker
James Crenshaw “Jim” Parker, age 81 of Childress, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas.
A family and friends visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, from 6-8 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Childress. A family memorial service will be held on the family farm at a later date where Jim will rest in peace.
Jim was born on August 9, 1939 in Childress where he resided for his entire life. His mother was Cathryn “Katie” Parker of Childress. He graduated from Childress High School in 1958.
He became interested in what was to be his lifelong career at an early age and actually started farming at age 16. His farm was established by his great grandfather in the mid 1880’s. Jim was the fourth generation to farm the land.
He was one of the original 10 charter members of Greenbelt Farmers Co-op. He held the office of president, as well as a member of the board of directors. Jim also served as County Commissioner of Precinct #3 for 12 years. Jim Parker was a giant of a humble businessman and community leader who led with eye contact and a "firm" handshake that nobody who received one ever forgot from his very large, worn, and strong hands. He was known for the numerous tasks that he would volunteer for if anyone needed assistance.
Jim was a very faithful friend, and if you ever held a friendship with him, you were considered part of the family. He also never met a stranger. Jim also "adopted" many children whom he fed, mentored, supported, and taught many life lessons by example when he didn't have to. Jim Parker was always about doing the right thing because it was the right thing to do, never the easy thing. He never took the easy way out when success was just on the other side of hard work. He generously passed these and many more lessons on to his grandson, nephews, and many others. He led by example.
Jim is survived by his wife Celia, daughter Leigh Ann Hightower and husband Billy, grandson Sawyer Galyean and wife Layne and his great-grandson Wyatt, sister-in-law Beverlye Lambert, nephew Brady Lambert and wife Kaitlin and their children Adlee, Luke, Jacob, and Aida all of Childress, and his nephew Landon Lambert of Clarendon.
Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church for which he was a member for many years and Meals on Wheels, or simply any worthwhile organization that you support.
A family and friends visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, from 6-8 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Childress. A family memorial service will be held on the family farm at a later date where Jim will rest in peace.
Jim was born on August 9, 1939 in Childress where he resided for his entire life. His mother was Cathryn “Katie” Parker of Childress. He graduated from Childress High School in 1958.
He became interested in what was to be his lifelong career at an early age and actually started farming at age 16. His farm was established by his great grandfather in the mid 1880’s. Jim was the fourth generation to farm the land.
He was one of the original 10 charter members of Greenbelt Farmers Co-op. He held the office of president, as well as a member of the board of directors. Jim also served as County Commissioner of Precinct #3 for 12 years. Jim Parker was a giant of a humble businessman and community leader who led with eye contact and a "firm" handshake that nobody who received one ever forgot from his very large, worn, and strong hands. He was known for the numerous tasks that he would volunteer for if anyone needed assistance.
Jim was a very faithful friend, and if you ever held a friendship with him, you were considered part of the family. He also never met a stranger. Jim also "adopted" many children whom he fed, mentored, supported, and taught many life lessons by example when he didn't have to. Jim Parker was always about doing the right thing because it was the right thing to do, never the easy thing. He never took the easy way out when success was just on the other side of hard work. He generously passed these and many more lessons on to his grandson, nephews, and many others. He led by example.
Jim is survived by his wife Celia, daughter Leigh Ann Hightower and husband Billy, grandson Sawyer Galyean and wife Layne and his great-grandson Wyatt, sister-in-law Beverlye Lambert, nephew Brady Lambert and wife Kaitlin and their children Adlee, Luke, Jacob, and Aida all of Childress, and his nephew Landon Lambert of Clarendon.
Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church for which he was a member for many years and Meals on Wheels, or simply any worthwhile organization that you support.