John Thomas Parham Iii

     Our beloved father, son, grandson, nephew, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, John Thomas Parham III, went home to be with our Lord, lovingly surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at the age of 26, following a lengthy illness.

     John was born on January 1, 1996, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Taronda N. Southward and John A. Parham. He was a shining star. He attracted anyone he encountered with his infectious smile, and dazzling personality. Affectionately known as "Bug," and later "Legendary Bleek", he was the life of all parties. John leaves a legacy of love and beautiful memories with anyone whose life he touched.

     John was a member of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Robert J. Harris. He attended Saginaw Public Schools, and was employed by the First Ward Summer Youth Program and Hi -Tech Steel Treating, Inc.

     John’s hobbies and extracurricular activities included football, basketball, going to the casino, shining his car, attending Jayce and John’s baseball games and Alivia’s gymnastic events, winning in all the video game competitions (although he cheated), and looking for groceries at momma’s house. His most favorite things to do were spending time with his children, family, and friends. John was also a Llittle Brother with the Big Brother and Big Sisters of America. Big Brother – John Bond of Saginaw, Michigan.

     John Thomas Parham III, leaves precious memories to be cherished by, his parents, John A. Parham and Taronda N. Southward; his children, Alivia Parham and mother Phyllisha Jackson, Detroit, Michigan, Jayce and John A. Parham Jr., and mother, Selena Ontiveroz, Jrue Parham, and mother, Catera Campbell; grandparents, Marilyn Favorite-Harris, David (Rose) Southward, Brenda Parham-Haywood, John A. Ezell, and Johnnie (Laura) Haywood; great- grandmothers, Delores Favorite and Mildred Grace Gibson; siblings, Trechelle Anderson, Ronquavious and DaTraivan Southward, Deacon Reynolds, Terrell and Diamond Long, LaShawnta Anderson, Jalen Parham, Romulus, Michigan, Shawnteara Gaiter, Toledo, Ohio; uncles, David Favorite, David Wallace, Brandon Wooten, Flint, Michigan, Daveon and Michael Southward, Armand Berry, Kentella (Takeysha) Harris, Glenn Dowdy; aunts, Zhan’e Favorite, Kyomonique Berry, Venus (Taurus) Parham-McDole, Kiona Ezell, Latonya Parsley; nephews, Trenton Times Jr., Kamir Southward, Flint, Michigan, Curtis Maner, Jr., Macario Vargas, Jr., Demarr Goss; nieces, Justyce Southward and Armani Southward, Nevaeh Williams, Kanyla Long, Huntsville, Alabama, Tarizea Long, Lincoln, Nebraska, Alivea Long, Autumn Anderson, Anej’a Hawkins, Toledo, Ohio, and Demari’a Baskin; godmother, Alexis Thomas; godbrothers and sisters, Curtis Maner, Sr., Shivontavia Williams, Ray’Viona Parham, Clavin Shades, Jr., and King Byrd; bonus aunts, Charmaine (Calvin) Shades, Andrea (Shivonny) Williams, Sherice Byrd, and Shannon Madison.

     At the age of 7, John was blessed to be the recipient of a liver transplant; from that gift, he was bestowed a bonus family; parents, Kelly (Erick) Cox McGinnis-Mueller, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kevin McGinnis, Delhi, Ohio; grandparents, Janet Cox, Hamilton, Ohio, Joseph (Solly) Cox, Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Samantha (Mathew) Luken, nephews, Riley and Elliott Luken, all of Cincinnati, Ohio.

     John is also survived by a host of great-aunts and uncles, special cousins, and special friends whom all loved him dearly.

     John was preceded in death by his brother, Stephen McGinnis (donor); grandfather, Carl Harris; great-grandparents, John (Gladys) Parham Sr., Cammie Frazier, Joseph Gibson, John Ezell, and Mary Ezell; great-uncles, Jeffrey Favorite, and Johnny Frazier; special cousins, DeTavion Favorite, DeQuavious Southward; and godbrother, Darris Johnson.

     The family wishes to express special thanks to the University of Michigan ICU Unit, and the Liver Transplant Team, Kelly Cox McGinnis-Muller and family, Bart Currie and family, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.