Obituary of James Parkes

James Frederick Parkes passed away peacefully February 9, 2018 in Ithaca, NY after a short illness. He was born on November 30, 1934 in Niagara Falls, NY to Leo V. and Viola W. (Whittington) Parkes and was cared for by his parents until his mother's death in 1952. His beloved Great Aunt Rose Frommholz helped care for him until her death in 1955. After that he entered the Newark State School in Syracuse and moved to various other state hospitals until finally ending up at a group home in Cortland where he enjoyed walking downtown for a cup of coffee and a newspaper or spending time with his friends. Two years ago he fell and was moved to Beechtree Center in Ithaca, NY. Jim was gentle and kind and well-liked. Despite his disabilities, he learned to read. He was known for his sense of humor and beautiful smile. Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister-in-law, Diana L. Parkes and is survived by his brother, John D. Parkes of Glenview, IL and two nieces, Julie (David) Stibbards of Arvada, CO and Pamela (Paul) Loach of Glenview, IL and a nephew, David (Nancy) Parkes of Rockwall,TX. The family wishes to thank all of those who have lovingly cared for Jim over the years. James will be interred in Cortland Rural Cemetery, Cortland NY.