October 15, 1940 – March 18, 2025
Janice Lee (James) Parker, 84, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025, at Poudre Valley
Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was born on Tuesday, October 15, 1940, in Laramie,
Wyoming, to Fred and Ethel James.
Janice attended the University of Wyoming, where she majored in Mathematics. Throughout her
life, she took on many roles and careers, each reflecting her strong work ethic and diverse
talents. She worked as a waitress in various locations and as a secretary at the University of
Wyoming, LETC, and the Soil Conservation Service in Laramie. She also pursued her
entrepreneurial spirit by owning and operating PDQ Printing in Laramie. Her love for horses and
the Western lifestyle led her to own and manage Parker’s Palace Roping Arena and Stables.
Additionally, Janice was a skilled seamstress, working as a sewing instructor for Singer and later
as a professional seamstress for Boyd’s Stockman and Cactus Jack’s Western Wear stores in
Laramie.
In 1958, Janice married Cecil “Butch” Crowley, and together they had two children, Ricky
(Laurie) Parker and Vicki (Jim) Jairell. Although their marriage later ended in divorce, Janice
found love again with George J. Parker, whom she married on December 21, 1965. Together,
they had one daughter, Laura (Terry) Niswender.
Janice was a lifelong supporter of the 4-H program, serving in many roles, including sewing,
cooking, and cake decorating leader; club leader of The Bunkhouse Bunch 4-H Club; and a
county fair judge for sewing, cake decorating, cooking, and horse projects. She loved teaching
the skill of sewing to anyone who wanted to learn, most recently passing her knowledge on to
her great-granddaughter, Izzy. Janice was the “go-to” seamstress in every community she lived
in.
Janice loved fishing and camping. Her love of horses led her to become a skilled horsewoman,
and she, George, and Laura were active members of the Wyoming Quarter Horse Association in
the 1980s. She also had a passion for golf, traveling all over Wyoming, Colorado, Texas,
Michigan, and Florida with George to play. Together, they loved visiting family and friends and
embarking on new adventures and dancing. Janice was passionate about genealogy and kept a
very detailed family tree, she also made sure to plan family reunions to keep the family close.
Janice was a lifetime member of the Albany County CowBelles (Cattlewomen), serving as
President from 1992 to 1993, and a lifetime member of the Laramie Women of the Moose.
Despite her many interests and talents, Janice always felt her true calling was being a wife and
mother. One tradition she insisted on carrying forward was the annual Christmas cookie
decorating, a beloved family event that will continue in her memory.
Janice was a loving grandmother to Joshua Parker, Lindsay (Derek) Bolton, Luke (Hannah)
Parker, Mandy (Darl) Jairell, Della Jairell, Atussa (Richard) Lively, and Talena (Jordan) Runner.
She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Dirk, Millie, and Braxton Bolton, and Izadola and
Beau Peterson.
Janice is survived by her husband, George Parker; her children Rick & Laurie Parker, Vicki &
Jim Jairell, and Laura & Terry Niswender; her grandchildren Lindsay & Derek Bolton, Mandy
Jairell & Darl Peterson, Della Jairell, Luke & Hannah Parker, Atussa & Richard Lively, and
Talena & Jordan Runner; and her beloved great-grandchildren Dirk, Millie, and Braxton Bolton,
and Izadola and Beau Peterson, her Uncle Jack James, and numerous nieces, nephews and
cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Ethel James; her brother, Jesse James;
her sister, Jackie Hysong; and her grandson, Joshua Parker.
A celebration of life will be held during the summer of 2025, with details to come. In lieu of
flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cathedral Home for Children.
Janice will be remembered for her hardworking spirit, her generosity, and the deep love she had
for her family and community. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed.