James E. “Jim” Parker was born to Eldon and Dottie Parker on July 24th, 1950. He attended school in Hazel, SD and graduated with the class of ‘68.

     Jim attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in PE/English. While at Northern, Jim played center for the Wolves football team who went undefeated in ‘69. This team was inducted into the Northern State Hall of Fame in 2018.

     In the off-season Jim was coerced into joining the cheer team for basketball. This is where he met Cleo, his future wife, working with her as her cheer partner. The couple was married on July 28th, 1973 in Doland, SD.

     They moved to Albia, IA where Jim taught high school English and coached football. Two years later, he was offered an assistant coaching position at the Fort Morgan High School in Colorado. He worked alongside head coach Clarence Stern for eight years while teaching at Fort Morgan Middle School. Jim and Clarence also were business partners in Stern-Parker Harvesting from ‘86 - ‘91 in the summer months. Jim eventually left teaching to take up truck driving, which he grew to love greatly. He hauled cattle for EDCO, as well as fertilizer for Performance Plus and Simplot. In the midst of a strong professional career, Jim fought and won a battle with cancer in 2010. His last position was trucking for Livingston Ranch near Kirk, CO, even after his diagnosis with pulmonary fibrosis.

     Jim loved the outdoors and spent much of his youth hunting pheasants and fishing for walleye. His favorite fishing trip was one he took to Canada with his good friend Lars. When not on the road, Jim enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Northern Wolves football and spending time with his family. Jim was a proud member of Elks B.P.O.E 1143 for over 50 years.

     Jim passed away on September 9th, 2026 and is survived by his wife Cleo, his daughter Jill, his son Alex, and his sister Cheryl (Lloyd) Brekke, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

     Jim was preceded in death by his parents Eldon and Dottie and his brother Stan.

     Celebrations of Life will be held in Fort Morgan and South Dakota at a later date.