James H. Parker

James H. "Jim" Parker, 73, of Topeka, died Saturday, October 22, 2011. He was born January 16, 1938 in Providence, Rhode Island, to S. Thomas and Elsie (Eccles) Parker.
Jim graduated from Manhattan High School in 1956 and Kansas State University in 1959. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He served in the US Army as a 2nd and then 1st Lieutenant at Ft. Riley, KS. He worked for IBM and Olin-Mathison before coming to Topeka to work for Security Benefit Life Insurance Company. Jim retired from the State of Kansas Department of Administration. During his life, he loved music and was a member of the Tommy Lee Orchestra from Manhattan, and the Kings of Swing Big Band in Topeka. For the last 16 years, he played the piano for the Topeka Country Club Brunch each Sunday. Jim was a member and active in music at Countryside Methodist Church. He was the Treasurer for the Topeka Jazz Workshop, Inc., the Topeka jazz Workshop Band, and he was the bookkeeper for the Quail Creek Homeowners Association. He was a member of the Prairie Trace Community Association.
Jim is survived by his wife Pamela (Given) Parker; two sons, Jeffery (Shelly), and Michael; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Saturday, October 29, at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Rd. Topeka, KS 66611. Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606, or to the church.