John Parham 1954-2017 – Celebration of Life

John Parham
The motorcycling community has lost one of its most passionate, considerate, entrepreneurial and successful people and he will be greatly missed.
John Parham dedicated most of his life to motorcycling and to his wife Jill. With passion and perseverance, through tough times and success, together they created J&P Cycles in 1979 and helped motorcyclists world wide enjoy two wheel adventures. Later John devoted his time and resources to amassing one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive personal collections of motorcycles, in excess of 300 machines, and found a home for many of them when he moved the National Motorcycle Museum to his home town of Anamosa, Iowa. Then he again invested his time and talent to make this a great place to preserve and present American motorcycling history. He worked tirelessly until his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis consumed him, and now he’s at rest with the Lord. John’s battle ended peacefully with Jill and son Zachary at his side.
Anticipating what would be John’s choice, friends are encouraged to sign up for and support the organ donation program in their community and in lieu of flowers, continue their support of the National Motorcycle Museum where a Special Exhibit Development Fund will be created in his honor.

A Celebration of John Parham’s Life was held at The National Motorcycle Museum May 6, 2017 at 10:30am

11 replies
  1. Mark & Karla Cornick CMA Iowa
    Mark & Karla Cornick CMA Iowa says:

    John did so much good and greatly affected the whole motorcycling community. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Our prayers go out for the family.

    Reply
  2. art kruse
    art kruse says:

    we have enjoyed going to j and p in Anamosa for years and also have gone to motorcycle museum when was in downtown and at present location. seen john at several events. he did a lot for the motorcycle industry

    Reply
  3. Milo Chapman
    Milo Chapman says:

    we have been to J&P motorcycle event and Museum for years. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. John will be missed. .God Bless

    Reply
  4. Gene Hunt
    Gene Hunt says:

    So sad to hear this we have lost another great member of our two wheel community. Any doubts I had about a visit to the Museum along with my annual trip to the Springfield Mile are gone. I am definitely going to do it this year. My thoughts and prayers to family and friends. Gene in Virginia

    Reply
  5. Gerald Rundall
    Gerald Rundall says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all he was a great one and always enjoyed telling stories from the old days he will be missed

    Reply
  6. Brett McLane
    Brett McLane says:

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this time of great loss, John was a great and good man,a selfless man who created J&P Cycles and The National Motorcycle Museum so he could share his passion and love of motorcycles with the world, so I thank you John for all that you and your wife Jill did that helped and impacted so many and will continue to help riders and enthusiasts alike well into the future . Thank You again. Going out to the Parham family ! John Parham will be greatly missed, may he Rest In Peace while keeping the wind in his face thru eternity !

    Reply
  7. Brandt E Marburger
    Brandt E Marburger says:

    Dear Parham Family,
    You may not of known who I was. My name is Brandt Marburger from Maquoketa, Iowa originally, now living in Cedar Falls, Iowa for College. I used to help out at the Museum volunteering some hours when possible with the help of Jeff Carstensen of Oxford Junction, Iowa. I am very honored to have gotten to at least meet John himself at least 1x and Jill at least 1x as well. My prayers go out to the whole family.
    Keeping Your Family In Prayers!
    Thanks,
    Brandt Marburger

    Reply
  8. robert campbell
    robert campbell says:

    Jill, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. When I first met John it was on the football field and track, where we always competed in the same events. I called him Parhead, mostly because he didn’t like it. When he started dating you, I met him socially thru my you and my sister, and we discovered our mutual love for motorcycles. Over the years our paths diverged then recrossed from time to time, and he was a constant, never wavered, in his love for motorcycles and you. He will be missed.
    Bob Campbell

    Reply
  9. Kevin Jurasinski
    Kevin Jurasinski says:

    I toured the NMM last Sunday and was saddened to learn that Mr. Parham had passed away. Godspeed to the man that ultimately made the Museum possible!!

    Reply

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