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.
For those who would like to attend the service virtually, a Zoom account is necessary to do so. If you do not have a Zoom account, you can set up a free account at zoom.us
Once a Zoom account is established you may watch the service by utilizing the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87396544109
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Amy Lou Peterson
As a student attending UC Irvine in Southern California, my wife and I lived in married student housing on campus. We attended the Corona Del Mar ward. While there were many loving saints in the ward, due to our circumstances we often felt out of place in our wealthy ward. One Sunday as I was in Priesthood opening exercises, sitting at the back of the chapel by myself, a distinguished gentleman came in from a side door. The meeting had just begun. He slipped in and sat by me. The Bishop noticed him and invited him to come and join them on the stand. He raised his hand and waved and said, "Thank you, but I'm fine right here." At the close of opening exercises, he turned to me and asked my name. He asked about my life, my family, and what I was studying. His blue eyes penetrated me with love and kindness. We parted ways for High Priest and Elder's quorum meetings and I never saw him again. I came home and said to my wife Rose, 'I just met the most Christ-like man in my life'. I graduated and we moved to Cucamonga and bought a house that we could afford. That October in 1977, we were watching General Conference when we saw new Seventies invited to join the other General Authorities on the stand in the Tabernacle. I jumped out of my chair and I said, Rosemary, that's him, the man I met in Priesthood in Corona Del Mar. Elder James M. Paramore. I am grateful to read in his obituary that he loved his trips to Southern California and visits to the beach. As it turns out, we later moved to Arizona. We raised six children and our annual vacation was to the beach in Southern California. When we were there over the weekend, we always went to church. I frequently find myself looking for people at church who are sitting by themselves and try to connect with them. Bless you and your family. James made a big difference for me that day.
As a student attending UC Irvine in Southern California, my wife and I lived in married student housing on campus. We attended the Corona Del Mar ward. While there were many loving saints in the ward, due to our circumstances we often felt out of place in our wealthy ward. One Sunday as I was in Priesthood opening exercises, sitting at the back of the chapel by myself, a distinguished gentleman came in from a side door. The meeting had just begun. He slipped in and sat by me. The Bishop noticed him and invited him to come and join them on the stand. He raised his hand and waved and said, "Thank you, but I'm fine right here." At the close of opening exercises, he turned to me and asked my name. He asked about my life, my family, and what I was studying. His blue eyes penetrated me with love and kindness. We parted ways for High Priest and Elder's quorum meetings and I never saw him again. I came home and said to my wife Rose, 'I just met the most Christ-like man in my life'. I graduated and we moved to Cucamonga and bought a house that we could afford. That October in 1977, we were watching General Conference when we saw new Seventies invited to join the other General Authorities on the stand in the Tabernacle. I jumped out of my chair and I said, Rosemary, that's him, the man I met in Priesthood in Corona Del Mar. Elder James M. Paramore. I am grateful to read in his obituary that he loved his trips to Southern California and visits to the beach. As it turns out, we later moved to Arizona. We raised six children and our annual vacation was to the beach in Southern California. When we were there over the weekend, we always went to church. I frequently find myself looking for people at church who are sitting by themselves and try to connect with them. Bless you and your family. James made a big difference for me that day.
Christine and family, so very sorry to read about the recent passing of your father. I remember Elder Paramore growing up as a youth in Holladay as we lived just off Casto Lane on Valene Street. My oldest sister, Kathleen Ritzman and her family I recall lived in the vicinity of your dad. I don't remember if it was Paramore's or Firmage's, sorry but how grateful I was to follow many of his gospel counsel as a youth that helped to shape my life growing older. I was fortunate to have Elder Paul H. Dunn around the corner from me in Holladay who was a great Mentor and friend as well. Although your Dad has graduated, his presence and affect on tens of thousands if not more will last for generations and generations. Quite a legacy he will leave behind. My thoughts, hugs and blessings of comfort to you, your family and extended family.