Born March 10, 1941 in Geneva, Illinois
Attended Kankakee Senior High School, Kankakee, Illinois
Attended Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Journalism & Religion, 1964
Varsity Bowling team, three years
Member Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism fraternity
Served in the United States Air Force, 1965-69
Awarded Air Force Commendation Medal Military Newspapers
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, 1966-67
Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, 1967-69
PROFESSIONAL
Peoria Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois — sports reporter, 1963
Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Illinois — copy editor, 1964-65
Santa Barbara New Press, Santa Barbara, California — sports stringer/reporter, 1966-67
Ventura County Star, Ventura, California — copy editor, feature writer, news reporter, sports reporter,
sports editor, 1969-present
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Best Sports Coverage, Second Award — California
Newspaper Publishers Association, 1974
Sportswriter of the Year — Ventura County High School Football Coaches Association, 1974-75
Media Person of the Year — Southern California Professional Golfers Association, Tri Counties Chapter, 1981
Outstanding Sportswriter in Ventura County for High School Sports — Ventura High School, 1983-84
Distinguished Service Award — Ventura County High School Football Coaches Association, 1994
Career Award — Ventura County High School Baseball Coaches Association, 1998
Career Award — Ventura County Football Coaches Association, 1998
Career Award Ventura Downtown Lions Club, 1998
Braven “Bud” Dyer Jr. Media Award — Southern California Interscholastic Football Coaches Association, 1999
Career Award — Ventura County Football Coaches Association, 1999
HONORS
The Ventura County High School All-Star Baseball game is renamed The Jim Parker All-Star Game, 1998
Commendations from United States Representative Elton Gallegly, State Assemblyman Jack O’Connell and State Senator Brooks Firestone, 1998
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Represented Ventura County high school athletes on All-CIF Selection Board, served as board senior member, 1972-1996