Sonnie Clarence Parm, Jr.

Sonnie Clarence Parm, Jr. was born August 16,1937, in Sandusky, Illinois.  He was the sixth child born to the union of the late Sonnie Parm, Sr. and Georgia (Harris) Parm. 

Sonnie grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, attended Lincoln Consolidated Schools and graduated from LHS where he played varsity basketball.  After graduation he found employment at the Ford Motor Company in Ypsilanti but soon took a leave of absence to join the United States Army from 1961 to 1963.    While serving his country, he married the love of his life, Joyce Evelyn Eanes, on September 2, 1961.  To this union one daughter was born, Tiffany Lorraine, whom he lovingly called “Pumpkin”.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to the Rawsonville Ford Plant in Ypsilanti, attended Washtenaw Community College, transferred to Eastern Michigan University and received his Associate Degree in Business.  He was then assigned to a salary position in Production Control, retiring in 2005, after 42 years.

In 1979, Sonnie accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Fred L. Davis at Community Church of God.  Sonnie, lovingly known to his fellow parishioners as “Smooth”, served wherever he was needed including the Trustee and Deacon Boards, the original CCOG Media Team and was known as one of “The Two Temptations” of the Men’s Choir.

Sonnie served his community as a member of the Ypsilanti Chapter of the Masons and the Ypsilanti Jaycees where he was honored as Jaycee of the month in 1974.  He was also employed as a part time senior citizen worker at the Ypsilanti Township Community Center where his outgoing personality thrived and shined.

Sonnie was a loving and devoted husband of 64 years.  Their love was steady, playful and authentic.  He was a doting father who placed his “Pumpkin” on a pedestal of love and support.  An avid fisherman, Sonnie loved sitting on the banks of the lakes casting his reels.  He loved music and could be found bouncing to the beat all night long.  Sonnie never met a stranger and seemed to know everyone in town.  Stylish clothes, conversation and advice were his trademarks.

Sonnie made his transition peacefully at his home on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.  He was preceded in death by his parents Sonnie Sr. and Georgia Parm, brother York Parm and sisters Lorine Dunklin, Jewel Means and Josephine Joyce Tillman.  He leaves to cherish his memory:   his wife, Joyce; his daughter, Tiffany (Robert) Lee; sisters Theresa Richardson and Claudette Parm (both of Atlanta, Georgia); Godson Charlie W. Fields Jr.; and his son-of-love and caretaker Melvin Willis; along with a host of family and friends.

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