James Parker

James Andrew "Jim" Parker, 66, of Shoreview, MN, loving husband and devoted father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, after courageously fighting cancer for 18 months. The son of an Air Force officer and homemaker, Jim was born in London, England and traveled as a child throughout the southern and eastern U.S. as well as to Paris, France, and Naples, Italy, settling in Fairfax, Virginia, in 1966. Growing up, Jim was a standout athlete and three-sport letterman at Oakton High School in Fairfax where he graduated in 1969. He graduated from George Mason University in 1973, where he met the love of his life, Kirsten (Johannsen) from Saint Anthony Park, MN. They were an inseparable couple and married in 1978 in St. Paul, MN, where Jim had taken up residency, started a successful marketing business, and would remain for the rest of his life. Jim was an avid golfer and sports fan who especially enjoyed cheering for the Twins and the Vikings. He was a stylish, charming, and gregarious sort who made friends easily with an ever-present, welcoming smile and twinkle in his eye. Most impressive was the strength of his love and devotion to his family. Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 40 years, Kris, and their three adoring children, Bill (Kristine), Anna Scheuring (Tony), and Katie Sweeney (Ryan); six grandchildren, James, Daniel, Benjamin, Samuel, Elaine, and Charles; a brother (Richard) and sister (Julia), as well as many more relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy (Parker) Szasz in 2016. Services to honor Jim's memory will take place on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at Bradshaw Funeral Home in White Bear Lake, MN.