Mr. Parham passed away Friday morning at Methodist Hospital in Germantown, TN.
A native of Grand Junction, TN, he was the son of the late Ralph Parham, Sr. and Elizabeth Ruth Roop Parham. On June 11, 1948, he married the former Zena Mae Simmons, who survives. Mr. Parham was a pattern maker for International Harvester for over 35 years and served his country in the Merchant Marines during World War II and in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Grand Junction High School and enjoyed following University of Memphis basketball.
In addition to his wife, he leaves a daughter, Diane (Phillip) Strobel of Burleson, TX; a son, Michael (Ilinda) Parham of Memphis; a brother, John (Jane) Parham of Collierville; and grandchildren, Bryan and Bradley Ball, Jackson and Joshua Parham; and great-grandchildren, Jordyn, Jared and Daniel Ball.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Parham Lake.
Memorials should go to Hope Works, 1930 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
http://www.whyhopeworks.org