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James (Jim) Parks passed away October 5th, 1999 at his home in East Moline, Illinois. With his Master's degree in music Jim taught at several universities and also studied in the Zurich Opera House in Zurich Switzerland. Beyond his studies and teaching, Jim served as the Minister of Music for several churches in and arround Moline Illinois.
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Michael A. Tyree
Jim was one of the most genuinely friendly people I ever met. Known as a musician @ THS, he was a pretty good FB player @ Crane in JHS!
Frank R. Chaffin
Jim and I were in music all through Jr High and High School. We sat together. He a bass...me a tenor. Next to us was one of the most talented vocalists, Johnny Fisher. What a great time singing we had. Jim, of course, went on to a very successful vocal career. I well remember he was "The StarKeeper" in our sophomore year in "Carousel".John C. Taylor
Jim was a wonderful talent whose heart was broken many times during his lifetime. I was continually amazed at the number of times he was asked to perform in Topeka and the boysterous response to his performances, when all were so silent that this great talent was "not good enough" to be in the madrigal singers, a fact that he revisited many times in his conversations with me. I am saddened that his membership in that group was influenced by the color of his skin. Shame on us, myself included, who remained so silent.
Timothy K. Stone
Jim and I were the left and right tackle on the Boswell jr. high team (not Crane, Mike - but liked your comments about Jim and Gary). Jim cried in the back of our car when mom took us to a game - it was about skin color. Like you John, I am mortified that I took a back seat to the unlevel playing field for African Americans during our rise to adulthood - it was as if friendship between us was somehow enough. Whether or not Jim was in the Madrigals actually, he's in there as far as I am concerned. Jim and I went on through and ended up at Washburn where we shared some time in choir. I had a nice talk with Jim at one of our later reunions. My voice teacher and a lot of other people in my music world remember him and we often talk of him.