James (Jim) was the 5th child of 8 born to Edward W & Rita (C) Parsons (Audia) at 61st and Sangamon (near Halstead) in Chicago. He spent his youth living in Cabrini Green Projects on Mohawk and then on Chicago Ave. He was in the choir in Catholic School. He went to Our Lady of Solace and then onto St. Philip Benizi.

He spent his teen years hanging at Oak Street Beach. He always whistled as he walked down a street or whenever he was, or thought he was alone. He joined the Navy at 18 years of age. He was deployed to Guam and Viet Nam. He worked on ammunition ships, loading and unloading ammo. He got out of the service in 1966 and his father taught him the love of fishing.

He met the girl next door to his parents’ home, where he lived (Linda). He and Linda Rhoda got married and had 5 children; Robert Edward, James Thomas, Rita Mae, Daniel Fredrick, David Farrell. They lived in Moorpark, CA for the majority of Jim’s life. He and Linda took to camping and fishing. It was their favorite pastime. They loved dancing and playing cards too.

He worked for over 30 years for Catalina Yachts at a sub division called Westco Tool. He was one of the pioneers behind Catalina Yachts; helping in its developing stages. He was Frank Butler’s “go to boy”.

His wife Linda was sick on and off for several years fighting cancer and passed away in December 2001 at the age of 50. In 2002 James had a single (left) lung transplant (smoked for 45 years). He lived with his sister (youngest) Kathleen in Glendale, CA., during his recovery. In June 2002 he moved to Arizona with his sister Leona. He was joined by his son Robert and later Rita and her daughter Irene moved to AZ . For a couple of years his son David with Corrie and their daughter Linae lived in AZ too.

He learned to fly fish and tie flies and make his own fishing poles. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2008. He fought hard and lost the fight in February of 2010.

James T. Parsons is the kind of person that once you meet him you never forget him.