James Michael Parr passed away at home on December 6, 2021, with his wife Edith at his side. “Mike” was born to James Redmond and Mary Elizabeth Parr in Norfolk, Virginia on June 10, 1947 and moved with his family to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1952. The oldest of five children, Mike attended South High School where he excelled as a track athlete. After graduating from high school in 1965, Mike joined the Marine Corps and served on the USS Benington, an aircraft carrier, during the Vietnam War.
Mike married Edith Scherwinski on July 20, 1967 in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple had five children. Mike is proceeded in death by his son Randall Allan and survived by his wife and their remaining children- Julie Allison, Michelle Jean, Jeffrey Michael and James Robert.
In 1970, Mike joined the Salt Lake City Police Reserves beginning a career in law enforcement that would span more than thirty years. The majority of his career was spent with the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office where he worked in numerous capacities including patrol officer, motorcycle squad member, canyon search and rescue, and robbery detective.
Mike was skilled motorcyclist and enjoyed riding his highly-polished, police-issued Harley Davidson in parades where he could be seen chewing gum and blowing bubbles for the crowd.
Mike continued serving his country as member of the Utah National Guard, 19th Special Forces. He earned his “Wings” and loved parachuting with the military.
One of Mike’s proudest achievements was earning a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at age 51.
In June of 2000, Mike retired from the Sheriff’s Office. The next year he and Edith moved to St. George, Utah to escape the snow and cold weather. He loved the red rock landscape and often explored the desert on ATV outings with his former Sheriff’s Office colleagues. The couple returned to the Salt Lake City area in 2013 to be closer to family.
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2020
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Dec 12, 2021
Dear Edith and family, We were sadden to read about the passing of Mike. He was a good neighbor and friend. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Our love and sincere sympathy go out to you, Edith and the family. We will always remember you as wonderful neighbors on Hazelwood Way. There were so many girls that were the age of your oldest daughter living on our street that is was interesting when they went to school. My sons loved to watch when Mike Parr would ride his motorcycle through the sub-division. It seems like so long ago when you moved and left a empty part in our lives. We are ones of the few who are still living on the street that was full of children running around and we all knew we could depend on Mike to make it safe because he was our children's example of a Policeman. Thank you for the memories we hold so dear in our memory and thoughts. Best to you always. Michael and RoLene Arvanitas
Mike was my sergeant in the robbery unit back in the late ‘90’s. He was a great guy I enjoyed working for Mike. I’ll never forget his laugh (Frank Burns in a good way). It was busy back then and we always kept Mike on his toes. Dick, Bo, Sharp and Gene Jr gave Mike plenty to worry about as a sergeant.
I’m sorry for your families loss, god speed “Parski” great memories.
BA and Family.