JAMES ROSS PARKE

James Ross Parke “Jim” of Placentia, California, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior on May 23, 2026, following a five year battle with melanoma that was marked with strength, a positive attitude, a desire to never ever give up, and a steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to have a plan and purpose for his life. Born on May 10, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, Jim lived a life marked by dedication, integrity, hard work, love of people, commitment to finishing everything he did with his very best effort, and a passion for “The 5 F’s” (faith, family, friends, football, and family law).

Jim practiced law for over 47 years in Orange, Riverside, and LA Counties. He was a Certified Family Law Specialist, and was recognized as a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys (AAML). His professional journey was a testament to his belief in advocating to the best of his ability for families, single parents, individuals, and children with dignity and respect. He was fortunate to have specialized and worked in family law for two outstanding firms, Holstrom, Block and Parke for the past 11 years, and previously for Minyard Morris for 24 years. Jim made many close friends at those firms.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife and very best friend, Mary Frances Parke (Thompson), formerly of Downey, who stood by his side with love, prayers, encouragement, and laughter throughout their life together. Jim and Mary, deeply in love, weren’t embarrassed to demonstrate their love in mushy, corny ways, and they made a great team, devoted to their family, making friends, becoming adopted parents and grandparents to so many younger people they met as both believed in investing in the next generations. The two served God faithfully in leadership at Fullerton Free Church in Friends Becoming Family, Jim being the leader and a teacher for many years, helping people to heal, restore their hope, grow in faith, rebuild their lives, and to remind them of their value. Everything Jim and Mary did together was fun and intentional with family, old friends, new friends, and those yet to meet. They loved their times kayaking at Hume Lake, bicycling in Newport, kicking up their heels ballroom dancing, playing all kinds of sports, going to high school football games every Friday night, watching romantic comedies, singing old tunes and new, cheering for the Trojans, Mahomes, the Chiefs, the Dodgers, the Lancers, the Angels, and the kids’ baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football games.

The passion Jim and Mary shared was demonstrated daily by Jim’s beautiful love letters to Mary every single day of their marriage, each being unique, romantic, affirming, and sincere. Yes, every day! He set the bar high! The day Jim met Mary, he said that he felt like he was “at home” and his life was finally complete as Mary knew him and truly valued him for who he was. She adored and respected him deeply, always knowing she’d hit the jackpot. It wasn’t hard to recognize that he was a gem, as Mary’s dad would call him, because he was a devoted father to his sons: Blare Ross Parke of Fullerton, Daniel Gardner of Placentia, and Nicholas Barrington of Long Beach; and cherished daughters: Kate Gardner of Larkspur and Bonnie Fagan (Jason) of Placentia. Jim always said that he couldn’t feel more like a father to all five kids if his own blood flowed through their veins. What a role model! For the past 10 years, his pride, joy, and energy were provided by everything related to his precious grandkids, Finley Rose Fagan (10), and Rowan Jack Kenneth Fagan (8), both of Placentia, who brought great joy and constant activity through sports, which their Papa Hooch Hooch loved. Jim loved competition anywhere and everywhere, at work or at play! He also took great pride in the fact that his first grandchild, Finley Rose, was born on his birthday.

Jim mastered and excelled at single parenting of son, Blare, for several years, step-parenting and becoming a father to Nick, Bonnie, Daniel, and Kate for 25 years, and grandparenting Finley Rose and Rowan from birth, being always “present” and engaged in each activity, sport, school event, wedding, birth, graduation, as well as the everyday opportunities of reading, cuddling, listening, and advising. He made each of his kids feel loved and valued. He had the privilege and honor to be asked to officiate at the wedding of daughter, Bonnie, to Jason. Just three days before Jim was called home, he sat proudly at his son, Blare’s, graduation from CSULB which was a highlight. His love and devotion was unconditional and continual. Just the day before he passed away, he picked up daughter, Kate, from the airport so he could spend some time catching up and telling her what she meant to him. This is an example of the intentionality with which Jim lived his life. He was intentional with these relationships so that each of the kids knew the love of a father, the strengths and gifts he saw in each one, the value within, and the unconditional love of Jesus that would provide them with hope and strength and be “an ever-present help in time of need”. Jim sought to do this in the lives of others as well.

Jim was a joyful, smiling reflection of his unwavering faith. He was usually seen laughing and making friends at every game, school function, play, or anything that came up with his kids or grandkids, no matter how many miles away it was, with such enthusiasm, whether it was showing up at games or track meets in a suit or flipflops, being a huge fan, color commentator, sidelines umpire or ref, stopwatch timer, or even a flag football coach to 6-8 year olds with his son-in-law, Jason, many times in the middle or aftermath of surgeries, immunotherapy, radiation, or chemotherapy. He continually said that he faced each challenge as if it was the 4th quarter of a football game. He went in ready to fight with a positive attitude, never a complaint, and always set on never giving an inch. He was passionate, committed, energetic, hardworking, loyal to the core, and his capacity for love and laughter was unmatched.

Jim was loved and will be missed by his younger brother, Bill Parke (Melissa), of Diamond Bar, his adored “little” sister, Anne Gluch (Steve) of Oxnard, and his cousin-like-a-brother, Shawn Gallagher (Patricia), with whom he shared fun memories with family and friends in La Mirada, many centered around Neff High School and football. Football was his passion! Though he had attended CSUF and Pepperdine University School of Law, he led the charge for the USC Trojans, passionately a football fan, and believing their slogan was the best for one fighting cancer. “Fight On!” Jim was very close to his sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Larry Broy and Joanie and Al Hinson, whom he considered family, best friends, confidants, and fellow Trojan fans. Jim had many adored nieces and nephews: Jeff, Danny, Lauren, Jamie, Will, Harrison, Josh, Laurie, Kristen, Kari, and Dustin, who were a continual source of happiness and pride. Numerous Gallagher and Hemphill cousins were dear to him. Jim made countless friends within his community, the law community, his church, neighborhood, parents and coaches of his kids and grandkids, doctors, nurses, and patients, as well as those he befriended at his favorite donut shops, restaurants, cleaners, grocery stores, bank, pharmacy, and even the Helpful Honda guys. He never knew a stranger! Also missing him is his loyal companion, Brinkley, a goofy goldendoodle.

Preceding Jim in death were his beloved parents, Deward (Dewey) and Florine Parke, whose legacy lives on through his character, strength, faith, and humor. He was also reunited at the Gates of Heaven with his sweet sister, Sue Parke, who he has missed every single day. What a reunion that will be!

Services for Jim will be at Fullerton Free Church (formerly EV Free) on August 1, 2026, at 3 PM. 2801 N Brea Blvd. Brea, CA 92835

Jim was such a good guy. His life was one of dedicated service—to his family, friends, profession, and most importantly, his faith and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was simply the best, and his hearty laugh, big smile, and welcoming presence will be greatly missed, as well as his reminder to each of us to “Fight On!”, “Never give an inch!”, and “Never ever give up!”