Mr. Jesse Nathaniel Parham Jr.'s Obituary
On Thursday, November 12, 2015, Jesse Nathaniel Parham, II passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 72 after 15 long years of a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Jesse was fortunate enough to have been accepted into the Veteran’s Home of California in 2012. The “Home” as it is called is truly a “Haven of peace and tranquility” and Jesse received the highest level of medical care and compassion from the medical team in the Memory Care building. In fact, Ward 3 medical team became his other family who maintained his dignity and who so beautifully supplemented our love and presence for him. We will be forever grateful to Ward 3 and “The Home.”
Jesse was born to Jesse Nathaniel Parham, Sr. and his mother Edith Parham on January 30, 1943 in Newport News, Virginia which is where he was raised. He was the younger of two children with a sister, Marianne, who preceded him in death earlier this year (2015).
Jesse received his early education in Newport News, Virginia. In August 1963, he joined the United States Air Force and served until 1967 in Turkey during the Vietnam Era. He was always very proud to have received his high-level clearance and training in order to serve his country as a Morse Intercept Operator.
From a recreational standpoint, Jesse loved playing both table tennis and court tennis with his left-handed advantage. He even played table tennis in the military. He also loved being outdoors. He was an avid jogger in the early years and walked with his trusty companioned wired-hair Fox Terrier in his later years.
After his military experience, Jesse returned home to Virginia and continued his education. He graduated, with honors, from Norfolk State College as an accounting major. Afterwards, Jesse was recruited to Boston, Massachusetts to work with one of the top 10 accounting firms.
Later, Jesse and Doris met in the Cambridge, Massachusetts. A couple of years later, they married and Jesse entered the Harvard Business School. After graduating with a MBA, he began a long career as a financial investment consultant and later as an executive recruiter.
After living in New England for several years, Jesse and Doris headed “West” to Northern California to find their dreams because Jesse was a “California Dreamer.” It is here, in the East Bay, that Jesse and Doris began their family of three: Nathan, Trevor, and Courtney. His family was always a great sense of joy and pride to him. A highlight for Jesse was that he was able to see his first grandchild just months before he passed away.
Jesse was a devoted husband, loving father and a loyal friend. He was an active father in the children’s upbringing and had a passion for his children to receive an excellent education. He volunteered as soccer and basketball coaches on the children’s sports teams. He was also involved in the Dad’s Club of Jack and Jill of America so that he could remain involved with the children’s other activities.
Jesse was always active in his spiritual community as well. He was raised as a Catholic in Virginia. Both he and his sister were baptized and received their First Communion at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Here in the Bay Area, Jesse and the family joined the Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland and he became active in the Men’s Chorus.
Jesse also had a life-long love of dogs. He and his daughter Courtney volunteered with Guide Dogs for the Blind, as puppy raisers, in order for the dogs to be presented to their permanent family or to the animal rescue service. After the Guide Dog experience, Courtney and Jesse adopted “Sophie” a Wired-haired Fox Terrier who became Jesse’s constant four-legged companion until she was put to sleep in 2010.
Jesse leaves to cherish his memory … his beloved wife, Doris, of 43 years, their three children, Nathan (Jesse Nathaniel Parham, II), Trevor and Courtney Parham, his daughter-in-law Eurydice Manning Parham and one granddaughter. Also left to cherish his memory is a niece Kimberly Leonard and several sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, cousins, friends and colleagues.
Jesse often reflected on his life and felt that he had accomplished many of the major things that he wanted. He often said that he may not have always followed a traditional path. So, he always loved the Frank Sinatra song, “I Did It My Way.” He truly did. Jesse will always be missed, but will never be forgotten.
A memorial service will be held at:
Chapel of the Chimes – Oakland
December 12, 2015
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
4499 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
Repast: Immediately Following (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Donation Gift to Medical Science
Jesse’s remains have been donated as a gift to medical research in hopes that through medical studies, they will be able to gain more insight and knowledge about Alzheimer’s.
The family has been very active with the Alzheimer’s Association during Jesse’s illness. Therefore, they are requesting that, in lieu of flowers, any financial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in his name as listed below:
Donation to Alzheimer’s Association
North Bay Alzheimer’s Association
In Memory of Jesse N. Parham, II.
1211 N. Dutton Avenue, Suite A,
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Or, donate online at: www.alz.org/NorCal (click on “Donate” on the left)
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