James P. Parks Jr.

James P. Parks Jr., age 91, of Wilmington left this world to go exploring the next on January 3, 2026.

Jim (also known as Skip and Pop) had an eagerness to learn new and interesting facts and share them with those around him. Rarely was he seen without a camera around his neck, a notepad in his shirt pocket, and a book in hand. His desire to gain and impart knowledge and connect with his community fueled him throughout his life.

Growing up in Wilmington, Jim attended Christ Our King grade school and, much later, edited a book about the parish for its 90th anniversary in 2016. He was extremely proud of his high school alma mater, Salesianum School, and was an active alum for more than 70 years, earning him status as a “Golden Oldie.”

Jim’s curious, outgoing nature coupled with a B.A. degree in 1955 from La Salle University led to his career as a journalist. Among the publications he wrote for or edited were The News Journal (for more than 12 years), The Dialog (as interim editor), the Wall Street Journal, The Delaware Knight, Delaware Today, the Delaware Valley Business Fortnight, and “Delaforum,” an online community newspaper he founded. He was also a scriptwriter for “The Catholic Forum.” During the 1960s, he served in the Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant.

Devoted to his Catholic faith, he often covered religious news and wrote about church history. He authored a book published in 2001 entitled Images of America: The Diocese of Wilmington. He was a lector and Eucharistic minister for much of his adult life.

With a passion for history, especially Delaware history, he found organizing events for the Claymont Historical Society at the Robinson House a fitting role that brought him immense joy. He was also the Chalfonte Civic Association’s first president.

His boundless enthusiasm for learning spanned his entire lifetime. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he valiantly embraced Zoom technology as an octogenarian so he could continue as a student—and instructor—in the University of Delaware’s lifelong learning program.

He had a floor-to-ceiling library of books and extensive music collection. He was always finding a symphony, a play, a parade, or a museum exhibit to attend, usually with a family member in tow. Each of his grandkids has a story to tell about a cultural outing with Pop that turned into a great adventure.

An avid Phillies and Orioles fan, he enjoyed watching baseball on TV and occasionally in the stands. He celebrated his 90th birthday with his family at a Wilmington Blue Rocks game. Above all, he never missed a chance to watch his kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events and concerts, usually through the lens of his camera. Afterward, he hosted vibrant slideshows where his loved ones could see themselves and relive their memories. In later years, he took this tradition online with “Pop Page,” chronicling every Parks family activity from holiday Yankee swaps to carefree summer days at Fair Blue Swim Club.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marie; his daughter, Mary Alice Cookson; his sons and their wives: David (Patti), Dan (Anisa), and Matthew (Ellen) Parks; his eight grandchildren: Dustin and Mikey Cookson, and Timmy, Kelly, Nicholas, Lucas, Andrew James [A.J.], and Megan Parks; his sister Mary Jo Carrocia; his sister-in-law Ann Wahl; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Judith Dolan and parents, Mary Horisk Parks and James P. Parks Sr.

A Mass celebrating Jim’s life will be held at Salesianum School Chapel on Saturday, February 14, at 11 a.m. with visiting hours beforehand from 10 to 11 a.m. The family suggests donations in Jim’s name to Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

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