James Parker Death, Obituary: In Loving Memory of James Parker

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Mount Pleasant community and the world of journalism are mourning the loss of James Parker, a longtime reporter for The Post and Courier, whose life was marked by quiet dedication, intellectual curiosity, and an enduring love for storytelling. Parker, 67, was found dead near his home in the Hobcaw area on the morning of January 31, following an overnight search that began after he was reported missing while out for an evening jog.

According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, James Parker was last seen around 7 p.m. on January 30, jogging near Bampfield Drive in the Hobcaw neighborhood. Police later confirmed that Parker, who had been living with Alzheimer’s disease, was located the following morning. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office announced that he was found deceased in Hobcaw Creek around 9 a.m. His cause and manner of death are pending the results of an autopsy.

Raised in Virginia, James Parker carried with him a deep appreciation for learning and thoughtful conversation. He was a graduate of Washington & Lee University, an accomplishment that reflected both his academic discipline and his lifelong love of words. That love would ultimately shape a career spanning more than three decades in journalism, where Parker became a respected and familiar voice in Charleston-area news.

Rail-thin, soft-spoken, and mild-mannered, Parker joined Charleston’s co-owned morning and afternoon newspapers in the early 1980s—publications that would later merge to become The Post and Courier. His first byline appeared in January 1984, topping a story about stowaways discovered aboard a Venezuelan cargo ship. From that moment on, his career unfolded steadily, story by story, deadline by deadline, guided by a deep sense of responsibility to inform the public with clarity and care.

Over the years, Parker proved himself a prolific and versatile writer. While he covered a wide range of beats, he found his professional calling in reporting on business news, particularly the South Carolina banking industry. His reporting was known for being precise, accessible, and grounded—qualities that made complex financial matters understandable to everyday readers. In later years, he shifted his focus to features on local car culture and residential real estate, contributing regularly to weekly special sections that reflected Charleston’s evolving character.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, James Parker was deeply devoted to his family. He worked alongside his wife, Penny, who was one of his early colleagues at the paper. Together, they built a life rooted in partnership and shared purpose, celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary this past November. For decades, Parker lived in Mount Pleasant’s Hobcaw Point neighborhood, where he was also known as a committed running enthusiast, often seen jogging the familiar streets he called home.

Those who worked with him remember Parker not only for his talent, but for his gentle nature. Leroy Burnell, a longtime photojournalist with The Post and Courier, described him as “a very kind-hearted, easygoing, lovable person.” Burnell recalled that Parker got along with everyone and brought a quiet warmth into the newsroom. “He loved his job and was great at it,” he said—a sentiment echoed by many who had the privilege of knowing him.

James Parker’s final article was published in March 2019, closing a chapter on a career defined by integrity, consistency, and a genuine love for the craft of journalism. Though his voice has fallen silent, his words remain—woven into the history of Charleston and preserved in the countless stories he told with care and humility.

As the Mount Pleasant community reflects on this profound loss, James Parker is remembered not only as a journalist, but as a husband, a colleague, a neighbor, and a kind soul whose quiet presence left a lasting impact. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever honored for the life he lived and the stories he shared.