James Allen Parker

James Allen Parker, son of the late Floyd E. Parker and Mildred (Honse) Parker passed away November 10, 2025 at Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla, Mo.

Jim was born June 6, 1938, on a farm in northern Phelps County. Farming and his love for livestock began at a very early age and he faithfully lived and worked his grandparents’ farms for his entire life. He graduated from Rolla High School in 1956 and realized that farming alone would not support a family. So he began working at the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1958, first in a temporary position, but soon becoming the towerman at Vichy lookout tower. He would continue his employment with MDC for a lifetime, filling various positions as firefighter, forestry supervisor, heavy equipment operator and trainer, among many other rolls. Building and dismantling fire towers was to became a much loved part of his job and he eventually was involved in the building of more than 18 lookout towers across the state. His knowledge of and history with lookout towers was something that never faded. He retired from MDC after 50 years, but he never left too far behind him the wonderful friends and memories that he had made.