Mr. John Thomas Parham Sr., affectionately known as, “JT”, made his transition from this life on Friday, June 11, 2021 at the age of 91 years. JT was born May 30, 1930 in Alligator, Mississippi to John & Lillie (Washington) Parham. He was born the ninth of ten children and was the sole survivor of his siblings.
JT migrated to Saginaw, Michigan with his family in search of work. He became employed at Grey Iron Foundry, where he worked for 30 years. He married his soulmate, Gladys (Mount) Parham on July 23, 1952. They relocated to Montrose, Michigan to raise their family, and shared 51 years of wedded bliss.
JT found Christ at an early age. He was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the usher board and served on many auxiliaries in the church. In addition to serving the Lord, his hobbies included farming, hunting, fishing, working on cars, working in the community, traveling, and giving lifelong lessons.
Our beloved father leaves to cherish his precious memory and legacy six daughters, Ruth (Edward) Harrison, Montrose, Michigan, Jessie (Sterling) Parham, Brenda Haywood, Cynthia Daison, LillieAnnie Parham-Morris, and Mary Parham, all of Saginaw, Michigan; three sons, Gregory Parham, Brian (Karen) Parham and Stanley Grant, all of Saginaw, Michigan; stepchildren, Tommy King, James (Berniece) King, Clara Canady, Robert (Lawanda) King, Dorothy King, Nathan King, Beneice King, Marie Porter, and Jimmy Hall, all of Flint, Michigan, David Morris, Saginaw, Michigan; 21 grandchildren, Robert Parham, Aritha (Everett) Davis, Angela Parham-Johnson, Ruth M. Harrison, Sonya (Ken) Dailey, Virun Kitchen, Glen Dowdy, John Parham, Kentella (Takeysha) Harris, LaTonya Parsley, Trina Parham, Venus (Taurus) Parham-McDole, Jacqueline Parham, Edward (Florida) Harrison Jr., Emily (Fabian) Rainey, Jamie Parham, Troy (Heather) Daison, Sterling (Ronda) Nelson, Tawana Harrison, Ashley Williams, Wesley Oglesby Jr., Lenelope Parham and Ta’Shun Bell; 66 great-grandchildren; 51 great-great-grandchildren; many cousins including the Washington and Grant families; many nieces, nephews, and cousins including the Washington and Grant families; special cousin, Louis Sr. (Marie) Grant; sister-in-law, Sylvia Parham; brother-in-law, Joseph McKnight; godchildren, Robert Chism, Roxanne Parham, Stan Hodges and Helen Seawood.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gladys Parham; one son, John T. Parham, Jr.; stepdaughter, Blondean Ayers; parents John and Lillie Parham; siblings, Polly, Ruby, Charlie, Percy, Ernest and William Parham, Dorothy Kemp, Annie Mae Davis, and Lillie McKnight; a five grandchildren, Terrance Parham, Darico Hall, Ronald King, Christopher Pam, Shirley Nelson; great-grandsons, Darius Gates, Shaveon Irwin; one great-great-grandson, Tarkeus “T3” Gee Jr.; and special friend, Willeller Hall.
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