On Thursday, January 7, 2021, Dr. Joseph Parham passed away at the age of 76 in Mesa, Az. Dr. Parham was born in Durand, Georgia and his parents moved him to Muskegon, Michigan at the tender age of 3. Dr. Joseph Parham graduated from Muskegon Heights High in 1962. Through his hard work and dedication, Dr. Parham received a football scholarship to Arizona State University leaving behind a world of limitation to pursue an education. He went on to earn a Doctor of Philosophy, becoming the first African American ASU athlete to receive such an accolade. Dr. Parham was preceded in death by his father Ozell Parham Sr., mother Maria Parham, and son Joseph Christopher Parham. He is survived by his wife Maria Parham, his seven children Marilyn Tippins, DeAnna Pfeiffer, Eric Wayne Parham, Monique Lodena Washington, Karen Evans Parham, Kevin Lamar Parham, and Michael Joseph Parham, his siblings Alma Cato, Ozell Parham Jr., Marie McDennan, Carol Blockwood, Andrew Parham, Tim Holmes, Michael Parham, 13 grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
