James W. Parmley

James “Jim/Mert” Parmley of Austin passed away Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Platinum Resort in Georgetown.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Jon Honea officiating. Burial followed at Faulkenberry Cemetery.

James (also known to others as Mert or Jim) was born June 16, 1942, in Groesbeck, to Merton Parmley and Emma Mae (Commander) Parmley, one of seven children. He and his brothers grew up working hard chopping and picking cotton and hauling watermelons to pay for their school clothes. James was very protective of his sisters and loved them dearly. He attended school in Groesbeck, graduating in the Class of 1960. James was a quarterback for the Groesbeck Goats high school team. Sports remained important to him for life. He was a loyal Dallas Cowboys fan and followed college and professional football with great enthusiasm. He was also an avid golfer and runner for many years.

After high school, James worked as a roughneck in the summer and attended Sam Houston State University during the school terms. Later, while working full time, he attended night school at SMU earning his master’s degree.

Throughout life, James truly enjoyed and valued his involvement in Masonic work through the Waco Masonic Lodge #92. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason.

After college, while living in Waco with his brother Freddy, James went to work for General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) in the auto-finance industry. His work allowed him to travel and live in various cities in Texas.

James met his future wife at a GMAC Christmas party. The next day James called LaVerne and they started dating. Eight years later, in 1978, James and LaVerne were united in marriage and made their home in Dallas. A year after marrying, their daughter Leslie was born and became the baby sister to LaVerne’s daughter, Tamara. His in-laws adored him and they felt that James had a way about him that made others feel their lives were valuable and important.

James then went to work for Republic Bank in Dallas, working there for many years. He remained in the auto finance industry the rest of his career.

James was full of joy, no matter the circumstances. His smile was the first thing everyone noticed about him, and it was contagious. He is smiling in all the pictures the family has of him, even when he was not feeling well. He had a servant’s heart, and always went above and beyond to serve his family, co-workers and neighbors. He was very devoted to his mother - his siblings always appreciated James looking after her and tending to her needs.

James loved working and while he never wanted to retire, his health eventually required it of him. Retirement allowed him to grow in his personal relationship with Jesus. He enjoyed being an usher and woke up early to attend Men’s Bible Studies. James had always made going to church a priority for his family. In the last seasons, his faith in Christ became stronger and the main focus of his life.

Before the end of his life, he made it clear to those who knew him how much he loved Jesus and he wanted to make sure everyone else also loved Jesus. James lived his life in such a way that it can be seen through the Bible scripture, I John 3:18: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

He always wanted to grow old in the Hill Country. For the past two years, he’s lived near his daughters in the Austin area where he loved spending time with his granddaughter, Annellise. They made many wonderful memories together, playing at parks, going to the pool on summer days and eating their weight in ice cream. To know James was to love him. He was an honorable father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. His family will miss him dearly and long for The Great Reunion when they will see him again.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Merton and Emma Parmley; brother, Robert Parmley; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Frances and Joe Bob Honeycutt; and brother-in-law, Daniel Wyman Welborn.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Parmley of Austin; daughter, Tamara Leigh Anderson of Austin; daughter, Leslie Anne Parmley Ren of Austin; granddaughters, Lauren Ashleigh Anderson, Kaitlin Ainsleigh Anderson, and Annellise Lydia Ren – all of Austin; sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Wyman Harriman of Waxahachie; brother, Jerry Parmley of Spring; brother, Fred Parmley of Groesbeck; sister, Paula Alexander of Conroe; sister-in-law, Yvonne Welborn of DeRidder, Louisiana; bothers-in-law, Paul Lewis of Dallas, Allen Lewis of Dallas, and Charles Lewis of Argyle; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks for donations to be made to the Scottish Rites in his memory by visiting: Pediatric Orthopedic Specialists | Scottish Rite for Children You may also mail your donation to: Scottish Rite Foundation, 1733 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20009.