Final Salute

James (“Jim”) Fowler Parsons, formerly of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, passed away at the age of 85 on May 23, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida. Jim, born on May 15, 1941, was predeceased by his wife, Jane Virginia Parsons; father, Amos Franklyn Parsons, and mother, Constance Woodruff Fowler.

Jim graduated from the Pratt Institute, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi, and received his Master of Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In 1964, Jim commissioned into the U.S. Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps. Jim proudly served as a Seabee for over twenty years. His naval career included two deployments to Vietnam, as well as tours in Taiwan, Guam (where he was a member of the Seabee cross-country team), and throughout the CONUS. Jim was a licensed professional engineer and worked as a senior engineer at the National Cancer Institute upon retiring from the Navy. Outside of work, Jim was passionate about sailing, running, cross-country skiing, ice hockey, and antique cars.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Jim enjoyed traveling the world with Jane and cherished time spent with family while enjoying the beach in Madison, CT, cross-country skiing in the Sierra, and sailing around Pensacola.

Jim’s memory and legacy will be forever cherished by his loved ones. Jim is survived by his sister, Patricia Fowler Parsons; his daughters, Elizabeth Anne Parsons, Virginia Parsons Lee (Ian); and his grandchildren, Sara Fe Butler (William), Adelene Jane Parsons, Madison Woodson, and Felix Lee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.