James "Jim" K Parry

James “Jim” K. Parry, 79, of Orion, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Osco Community Church, 311 Main Street, Osco. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Burial will be at Western Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Osco Community Church or to the family for a scholarship to be established in Jim’s name for Orion High School. Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Orion is assisting the family.

James was born on August 29, 1944, in Canton, Illinois, the son of Keith and Olladene (Braden) Parry. He married Linda J. Newman on July 15, 1967, in Hedrick, Iowa. He earned his Master’s in Education from Bradley University and began his career teaching at Dunlap High School for three years then began teaching in Orion in 1970 and retired in 2004. Jim was previously employed as a math teacher, the boys middle school basketball coach, and the Athletic Director at Orion Middle School. Jim was also a coach for the middle school track & field and a football coach at the middle and high school. He loved his community and was very active with the Orion Sports Program: refereeing the boys and girls basketball games for both the middle school and high school. He was one of the first members of the Orion Booster Club and started the junior high student council and FCA chapter. After his retirement from teaching, he subbed at various schools within the area until 2021. He was an active member of the Osco Community Church where he helped usher, served on the building committee and helped his wife, Linda, teach Sunday school. Jim was a lifelong Green Bay Packers, L.A. Dodgers and L.A. Lakers fan. He loved spending time with his puppies.

Survivors include his wife, Linda; daughter, Jodi (Karl) Kane, Orion; son, Tim (Alyssa Baseley) Parry, Princeton, IL; grandchildren, Ashlyn (Brock Redecker) Kane, Logan Kane, Corbin Kane, Spencer Parry, Christian Parry, Addi Parry; three bonus grandchildren, Sophie Rutledge, Sylvie Rutledge, Sadie Rutledge; brother-in-law, Ted Wade, Michigan; nieces, Kim and Heather.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Judy Wade.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.