James Roy Parker, III

Obituary

On August 16th, James was called unexpectedly to his heavenly home by our Lord.  James was born in Youngstown, Ohio the oldest of six children born to Barbara and James Roy Parker II.

From an early age, James had a passion for music and was very talented.  He loved singing; performing the lead and chorus roles in vocal groups, and playing a variety of instruments from drums to the trombone.  Additionally, James attended the Pittsburgh Public School System obtaining a GED.

With his innate intelligence and upbeat nature, as a young man, during the civil rights era, he became employed as a profession welder, becoming one of the vanguard who broke employment barriers for minorities in the Pittsburgh trade unions.  With this accomplishment, he became the first in his family to be employed as a professional underwater welder.

Within several years, his adventuresome nature led him to enlist in the Navy, successfully traveling the world before setting down eventually in Florida.

On August 16, 2017,  unexpectedly, James, was called to his heavenly home, by our Lord.
James is survived by his son, James (Jim) Roy Smith; mother of James (Jim); LaMar J. Smith,  his granddaughter, Patience R. Smith; his Mother, Barbara Parker, siblings; Gloria, Roger, Sharon, Eugene (Laura), and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

James was preceded in death by his father, James Roy Parker II, his brother, Robert Edward Parker, and his nephew, Robert Lee Parker.