Jacob Williamson Parr Jr.

Jacob Williamson Parr, Jr, (known as Jake, Jock, Dad, and Poppy) died peacefully on June 13, 2026 from advanced glioblastoma.

Jake was born on January 30, 1958 to Donna and Bill Parr. The family lived on Plymouth Rd. in Catonsville until moving to Ellicott City in 1966. As a child, Jake played sports, had a brief stint as a Boy Scout, made his stage debut in Man of La Mancha, and ran around the Valley Mede neighborhood getting into trouble with his siblings and friends. He spent years working in his family’s restaurant, the Patapsco Inn, and drove a legendary Dodge Lancer (“the Turd”).

He attended Washington College in Chestertown, where he was a member of the Sigs. There, he formed many lifelong friendships and met Mary Pohanka, with whom he had two daughters, Sara and Elizabeth.

After a series of business/IT jobs, Jake took a leap of faith in 2004 and started his own home improvement business. He did beautiful work for dozens of clients, never once advertising, always having more work lined up from referrals.

Jake loved Baltimore sports, riding his motorcycles, going “down the ocean,” crossword puzzles and game shows, live music and dancing, and finding a good deal. He became a grandfather in 2018 and especially adored his five grandchildren.

After his cancer diagnosis in early February 2025, he immediately retired and spent time reconnecting and visiting with his many friends. When he moved to St. Elizabeth’s for skilled nursing care in January of this year, Jake developed a reputation for having more visitors than anyone in the facility’s history – in his final days, it was standing room only. His loved ones find peace in the end of his suffering.

Jake was preceded in death by his parents, Donna Arthur Cole and Jacob Williamson Parr, Sr; his stepfather, Raymond Cole; and his aunt, Sharon Arthur. He leaves his daughters, Sara (Edward) Gill and Elizabeth (William) Duncan; grandchildren Thomas Arthur, Eleanor Catherine, William McTavish, Kieran Francis, and Annelise Mary; brother Donald Parr; sister Christine (Ronald) Guagliano; nephew Jack Parr; niece Katie Parr; and aunt Gail Halcomb, as well as many cousins and close friends he made throughout his life.

A memorial service will be hosted at Salem Lutheran in Catonsville on Saturday, July 18, 2026 beginning at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jake’s memory to Gilchrist Cares, the hospice providers who offered loving care in his final months, or to the Glioblastoma Research Organization, whose work funds critical research as well as providing support for patients, families, and caregivers.

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