James Wesley Parker

Jim was born on July 31, 1917 in Portsmouth, VA to Dempsey Elizabeth Darden and Charles Wesley Parker. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1935. During his last 2 years there, he played violin in the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Elon College where he graduated in May, 1939 with a BA in Business Administration. In the 1939 yearbook, Jim was listed as Elon's "Most Energenic Senior"--- an ability that he exhibited throughout his life.

During the summer of 1940, Jim volunteered for duty in the US Naval Reserve. He was commissioned an Ensign in the Supply Corps and reported for duty in Washington, D.C. on October 7, 1940. During WWII Jim served on 4 ships, 3 Seaplane Tenders, and an Aircraft Carrier. These ships took him from North Africa to the Western Pacific.

On October 12, 1946 Lieutenant Commander Parker married Mary Herlihy Mara, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Herlihy in Milton, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1951 with an MBA from the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Jim retired as a Captain at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, CA on June 30, 1962.

Upon his retirement from the service, Jim joined Master Charge (now MasterCard) as their 13th employee. He spent over 30 years in Estate, Financial and Investment Planning. During this period, he was a very active member of the Bay Area Financial Planning community.

Jim is survived by his wife, Bette, his two daughters, Diane and Susan as well as his 3 granddaughters and 7 great-grandchildren.

Jim will be interred in the National Cemetery, Riverside, CA on Wednesday, May 28,2014. Jim touched many lives and will be truly missed by all those who were honored to know him and who loved him...