James M. Paramore was born in Salt Lake City on May 6, 1928 to James F. and Ruth C. Martin Paramore. He passed away peacefully on March 17, 2022 in Murray, UT at the age of 93, surrounded by family. Jim was the oldest of 5 children: Keith (Norma) Paramore, Gloria Firmage, RuthAnn (Jack) Everson, Dorothy Deaver, and Glen (Trisha) Paramore. He married and was sealed for time and eternity to Helen Heslington on December 7, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple. She was the love of his life. They recently celebrated their 70th anniversary.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, one brother (Keith), three brothers-in-law (Brent Uibel, Bob Flygare, and Jack Everson), two sons (Richard and Paul), and one grandson (Erik Plant). Jim is survived by his wife and four children: Jolene Paramore Reif (Gary), David Paramore, Christine Paramore Fielding, and Lisa Paramore Page (Greg). His posterity also includes 13 grandchildren: Brandon, Allison, Erik (deceased), Kiki, Lexie, Sterling, Marcel, Dallin, Lauren, Ryan, Megan, Maddi, and Char. He is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

As a young man Jim served in the military just after World War II. He then served a mission in the France Paris Mission for 2 1/2 years which he loved and spoke of often.

Jim was educated at Brigham Young University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree. His professional career includes approximately eight years in the Engineering Department at the Geneva Steel Corporation, formerly located in Utah County. He worked as a seminary teacher early in his professional career and worked for the State of Utah as the Executive Director for the Committee on Children and Youth. Jim was also employed by Brigham Young University in their Development Department and was an important part of that vital, expanding university. He also served as a member of the Orem City Council when Orem was still a young and growing community.

Jim and Helen were called to lead the Franco-Belgian Mission from 1966 to 1969. This included moving their large, young family to Brussels, Belgium. He was a very young mission president at the age of 38. He and Helen arrived in Brussels with five children ranging in age from 3 to 13. Their sixth child was born in Brussels six weeks after they arrived. They truly loved all the missionaries they served with, and they spoke often of the wonderful experiences they shared.

Jim was later appointed as the secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, where he worked closely with President Spencer W. Kimball. He was later called to serve as a Regional Representative and General Authority Seventy from 1977 to 1998. He also served in the Presidency of the Seventy for several years. His assignments at the Church Office Building included executive director roles in the Missionary, Audio Visual, and Internal Communications Departments. He loved all with whom he served.

One of his favorite aspects of his Church responsibilities was to meet with leaders and members of the Church throughout the world. Upon returning home from these assignments, he always talked about how much he loved being with the people.

Following his service as a General Authority, Jim and Helen were called to serve as the leaders of the Church Family History Mission from 1999 to 2002.

Personal activities that Jim loved throughout his life included all activities in the water: boating, fishing, swimming, the beach, and most importantly, time spent with his wife and children on those activities. No year was ever complete in the Paramore household without the annual summer trip to Southern California for beach fun, Disneyland, and the dreaded trek to get there with eight or more packed in the car and no air conditioning. He enjoyed attending BYU games, having a soft spot in his heart for BYU sports after having been a cheerleader there during his college years.

Jim was a well-rounded and accomplished man who will continue to be loved and missed by his family and friends.

All services will be held at the Little Cottonwood 9th Ward chapel located at 1160 East Vine St. (5900 S.) in Murray. Viewings will be held on Friday, March 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 26, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral Services will follow at the same location at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah following services.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer’s Association or The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Utah Chapter.

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