IDGenWeb MEMORABILIAS:

Jimmy Parker 1939 ~ 2011
Owyhee County Coordinator 2008 - 2011

Bountiful, UT---Jimmy Bruce Parker left this life and peacefully passed into the next on Friday, September 9, 2011. He was born on February 8, 1939 to Gerald Edward and Ida Eleanor (Tilford) Parker in Caldwell, Idaho. He attended public schools in Homedale, Idaho where he met his eternal sweetheart, Sherlene (Sherry) Byington. They were married on August 29, 1958 and sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on November 25, 1959. Jimmy graduated from BYU with a Bachelor's degree in secondary education, a major in physics and a composite minor in math and chemistry. He taught at Central Jr. High and Bonneville High Schools in Idaho Falls, Idaho for a short time before beginning his career in family history on the 3rd of July, 1963 at the Genealogical Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In the beginning of his career, he traveled to many different locations in the United States and Canada, gathering records for the library. He served in many positions in the family history department, including the research department and priesthood genealogy department. He was the manager of the Family History Library for five and a half years and retired in December of 1999. He served as a missionary in Family History and Worldwide Support from June 2007 to December 2009. He was a well known writer and a great educator, teaching all over the North American Continent at the National Genealogical Conferences and BYU Education Week. He served on the board of The International Commission of the Accreditation of Professional Genealogy, president of the National Genealogical Teachers of America, Association of Professional Genealogist and President and Fellow of The Utah Genealogical Society. He was accredited in many areas of North American Research. His great love of family history and temple work has been passed on as a legacy to his family.

Jimmy was a wonderful husband and father. He and Sherry spent many happy moments together doing their family history and working at the branch library helping others. He lovingly taught many of his children and grandchildren math and other subjects at the kitchen table over the years. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends and associates.

Jimmy is survived by his eternal companion and sweetheart, Sherry, his dear sister, Janet (Ron) Martin, eleven of his fourteen children, Tauna Hinckley, Tara (Blaine) Scott, Jamie (Scott) Robinson, Trudi (Kevin) O'Brien, Kerrie (Kent) Jones, Trina (Brad) Lemmons, Matthew (Michelle) Parker, Becky (Arden) Godwin, Maralee Croft, Amy (Joseph) Recksiek, Joshua Parker. He is also survived by 34 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and numerous other extended family.

He was preceded in death by three children, two great-grandchildren and his parents. A special thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice, Dr. Regina Klein and all other medical personnel who lovingly contributed to his care.

The following words by Ralph Waldo Emerson sum up Jimmy's life.

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of the intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch or a redeemed social condition'
To know that one life has breathed easier
Because you lived here,
This is to have succeeded.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 15, 2011 at the Bountiful 43rd Ward, 990 North 100 West. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main, and Thursday morning 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment-Bountiful City Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune -- Sept. 11 & 12, 2011