James Dorland Parker, 81, a Darien resident for 52 years, died Sunday, April 9th after suffering a fall. Born in New York City, March 26, 1925 to Paul E. Parker and Edith Doyle Parker, he spent his childhood years in Mt. Vernon and Bronxville, NY. After high school he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Upon discharge, he attended and graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

In 1951, he married Helen “Woody” Sherwood and moved to Darien. His career began in advertising at Young and Rubican, General Foods and Beech-nut Lifesavers, where he originated the Fruit Stripe Gum. He also was Vice President of Parker Real Estate in Fairfield, CT.

He was a past president and longtime member of the Rowayton Arts Center. He also taught Sunday school, art classes, Real Estate classes, and was involved in the Junior Achievement Program.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, two brothers, Donald and Paul and a daughter, Barbara.

He is survived by his wife, Helen of Darien; a son James, Jr. of Darien; daughters Margery King of Darien and Susan Harms of Palm Harbor, FL; and a brother, Lawrence Parker of St. Michael’s, MD. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Chapel, 1864 Post Road, Darien on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 11:30 AM. Private interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853, the Darien Library, 35 Leroy Avenue, Darien, CT 06820 or Post 53 Ambulance Service, P. O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820.

Funeral Home:

Edward Lawrence Funeral Home

2119 Post Road

Darien, CT

USA 06820