Jim Parker passed away 11-17-2004

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Rhett Stidham

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Aug 9, 2000
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Jim Parker passed away yesterday, November 17, 2004. He will be missed by his family and many friends in the knife world.

Funeral arrangements for Jim Parker

Viewing: Friday 2-4:00 pm and 6-8:00 pm

Chattanooga Funeral Home
Valley View Chapel
7414 Old Lee HWY
Chattanooga, TN 37421

Funeral Service: 1:00 pm Saturday November 20, 2004

Tyner United Methodist Church
6805 Standifer Gap Road (corner Standifer Gap Road and Hickory Valley Road)
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Jim was one of eight knife collectors that founded the NKCA, but he was the main driving force in the early success of that knife collecting group. In fact, without his efforts, antique pocket knife collecting would be 10-20 years behind what it is today. I remember when I gave him the cash payment for a life membership in the early 1970's. He said, "Rhett, I know this club will make it if you think enough to pay a life membership." I don't remember what I replied, but I should have said, "I am supporting you, Jim, as well as this new knife club."

The first time I met Jim Parker was in 1971 at the Owensboro Gun Show in Kentucky. We were trading out of the trunks of our cars. He had two cigar boxes of knives and I had one. That day he gave me $600.00 for a Case Tested 6100 with awesome bone handles. A great price in that it only booked for $300.00. That was the first knife over $500.00 I ever sold.

I called Jim about two weeks ago but he did not answer. Later that evening he called me back. He was real weak and we did not talk long.

Jim Parker, the best knife trader I ever knew. You will be missed.

Go with God,

Rhett Stidham
 
Prayers go out top Jim's family. I knew they had sent him home a few weeks ago, or so from the hospital. I had been talking to a friend of his from church. He will be missed
 
wow, that is sad, talked to him many times, we bought several small collections from him, always a nice guy. Had a lot of Case history as well. We hope the family is well. paul
 
The knife world lost a good one!

As I type this, I see on my wall, a small shadow box. In it is a small 2 blade dogleg jack with Whitetail Deer antler scales that my older brother gave me when I graduated the 8th grade in 1981. On the tang it says Parker/Frost Cutlery.

It is the knife I have had longer than any other in my collection.
 
May God rest his soul and be with his fine family.

I am from Chattanooga originally (left for school in Atlanta when I was 18) and I consider myself very lucky to have spent time with a man who took the time from his business to talk with a young collector on numerous occasions. His always made time for me when he had the most to offer and at 17 and 18 I had little to offer him.

In my home is a beautiful wooden display case with ornate scrolled mouldings. (He had around 20 or thirty of them made when he issued the Case Classic knives from 1990 to around 1996). The case was a wedding present from him and Curt Rogers of Cut&Run Cutlery.

RIP Jim Parker.
 
Rhett: I knew Jim for many years and I could not have described him or his contributions better than you did. He will be missed as a man and as a friend, may he rest in peace
 
I was looking at some of his Ebay auctions just last night.....weird.........
My condolensces to his family.
 
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