Jerri Lee Parman
Jerri Lee Parman was born April 26, 1940 in Denver, Colorado, and passed away peacefully on the morning of February 27, 2024 at Canyon Rim Assisted Living in Maupin, Oregon. She was 83 years of age.
Jerri was born to Emmett and Bernice Cagley, joining her sister Patricia, and was raised in Harbor, Oregon with her mother and her aunts and uncles until moving to Coos Bay, where she attended and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1956.
She went on to attend Southern Oregon College in Ashland where she met her future husband, Sidney Parman. They were married in 1958 in Reno, Nevada and moved to Condon, Oregon where their first son Stacey was born. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Maupin, Oregon and their second son Jeff was born in The Dalles. Jerri worked at local businesses until finding her calling in public service by landing a job as a teacher’s aide at Maupin Grade School. Because of her love of piano playing, the school assigned her to teach music to the primary grades, which she loved. After 11 years of dedicated service, she took a job at Wasco County High School as secretary & bookkeeper. Just two years later, she advanced to the school’s Deputy Clerk position that she held for 18 additional years, before retiring in 1997.
Jerri was best known for her infectious smile, kind heart, quick wit, and passionate love for her family and friends. She felt a strong sense of civic duty and served her South Wasco County community in many ways: Jerri was an EMT with the South Wasco County Ambulance Service for 18 years. She was also an EMT Instructor, a Hunter Safety Instructor, member of the Maupin High School Budget Committee, Girl Scout leader, PTA Secretary, and Little League Secretary. She was a member of the Wasco County Economic Development Commission and Children and Families Commission and a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic where she served for 10 years.
Among Jerri’s favorite contributions was being a founding member in 1979 of the “Town and Country Players”, where for over 40 years she acted in, directed, and helped produce a multitude of plays, musicals, and Christmas programs.
Jerri volunteered her time and energy to play piano for school programs, graduations, weddings, and numerous public events. She was extremely well-read, amazingly witty, with a not-so-subtle “flair for the dramatic.” She loved caring for flowers and animals, traveling, artifacts, casinos, Jeopardy, and helping others. She was tough when she had to be, with a boundless work ethic. Above all, Jerri was an amazing mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother, and friend who loved freely and was loved by all.
Jerri is preceded in passing by her mother Bernice, father Emmett, her husband of 60 years Sidney, and her sister Patricia. Jerri is survived by her son, Stacey (Shirleen) of Phoenix, Ariz.; son, Jeff (Michelle) of Maupin; half-sister Colette (Gregg), six grandchildren; (Crystal, Zack, Ryan, Jesse, J Lee, Jeremy); eight great-grandchildren; four nephews, and one cousin.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, May 18th at 1:00 p.m. at the WCUHS gymnasium in Maupin, with a potluck dessert to follow. Everyone who’s lives were touched by Jerri is cordially invited to attend.
Donations in Jerri Parman's memory may be sent to the South Wasco County Ambulance Service in Maupin.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements.