"Jim" Edgar James Parker III, of Bend, OR passed away peacefully at home at the age of 83 on March 16th, 2022 from natural causes.

The family would like to thank Partners in Care, Hospice for their care and support.

Jim was born on March 30,1938 to Edgar J Parker II and Miriam Kennedy Parker in Eugene, OR. The family relocated to Ukiah, Oregon in 1943 when his father was named the Ukiah District, Umatilla Forest Ranger in Charge. In 1946 at the age of 8, they relocated to Bend, when his father transferred to the Bend District, as the Deschutes National Forest Ranger in charge.

During his childhood years, Jim was an incredibly inquisitive child and spent most of his time exploring outdoors. He often ventured down the Deschutes River where he met several Native American trappers who taught him many skills.

Jim especially loved visiting his great aunts, Eva and Trixie, in Olympia, Wa in the summers where he would run around the orchards and eat peaches.

While attending Bend Senior High school, he met the love of his life, Zola Rhodes whom he married in The Dalles, OR shortly before graduating High School.

Jim joined the Army National Guard and served several years before being Honorably Discharged in 1959 as Corporal, Battery D, 1st Automatic Weapons Battalion in the 249th Artillery.

While enrolled in the Guard, and shortly after graduating, Jim followed in his father’s footsteps and began working for the United States National Forest Service where he and Zola moved to Fort Rock.

A year later, they returned to Bend, when Jim’s dad retired, and Jim could begin working in the Bend district for the Forest Service. He also spent time working at Lundgren’s Sawmill, scaling, and measuring timber for sale.

Throughout his career with the Forest Service, Jim was a timber cruiser and planted new timber growth in many forests, and even mapped the layout for the growth east of pringle falls, referring to that as “his forest”. He was a wildland fire crew boss and proudly fought the largest fire in the country in Flagstaff Arizona in the early 1970s.

In 1987, Jim retired and started off every day with a cup of coffee and his newspaper. He and Zola took many trips and loved storm chasing and going to the beach. Jim also spent his time hunting, rock hounding, scoping out yard sales and rescuing stray animals.

Jim is predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years, Zola Parker, parents Edgar J and Miriam Parker, sister Jeanne O’Doherty of Portland, best friend Bill Engstler.

He is survived by children: Tami (Art Sugden) Cook, Edgar "Ed" (Patty) Parker IV, Jaynee (Terry) Duckett, Julie (Todd) Bennett, Grandchildren Rob Luff, Aaron (Tracie) Luff, Ben (Brittney) Bennett, Edgar "EJ" (Hillary) Parker V, Makaela Parker and Liam Bennett. Great Grandchildren: Jacob Luff, Aleha Luff, Nevaeh & Sage Bennett, and Peyton & Brooke Parker. Plus, many more “adopted” children, grandchildren, and loving friends.

A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on March 26th, 2022 at 11:00 AM followed by a celebration of life at the Sons of Norway Lodge at 549 NW Harmon Blvd, in Bend Oregon.

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