Hundreds expected to celebrate life of Iowa motorcycle legend

ANAMOSA - A celebration of life for Iowa motorcycle legend John Parham is advertised as being for family and close friends due to limited seating.

But Parham, founder of J & P Cycles motorcycle company and the person responsible for bringing the National Motorcycle Museum to Anamosa, had a lot of friends.

And so, organizers of the 10:30 a.m. Saturday service at the museum, 102 Chamber Drive, are planning for upward of 600 guests.

'He touched a lot of lives along the way,” said museum Director Bill Barber, who said he knew Parham for about 10 years. 'We're actually expecting a lot of people. We had left it open, but we had to cut if off.”

Barber said those close to Parham are flying in from all over the country - from New York to California. The museum plans to host a service and use a museum's banquet rooms and an outdoor tent to accommodate the celebration.

Parham died April 20 at the age of 62, following a prolonged battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Parham opened his first shop in 1975 in Anamosa before starting J. Parham Enterprises with his wife Jill. That company became known as J & P Cycles and grew into one of the largest motorcycle accessory mail order companies worldwide. Motorsport Aftermarket Group acquired J & P Cycles more than a decade ago and relocated its core operations out of state in 2015, with a retail center remaining open in Anamosa. Parham's son Zachary remains the vice president and general manager.

Parham was inducted into the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

In 2010, a lung transplant helped extend Parham's life, and he was an advocate for organ donation.

Members of Iowa motorcycle clubs said Parham was very generous in supporting a variety of causes.

'John was a very generous supporter of our group both financially and with giving us space in their warehouse for Jones County Toys for Tots,” said Ray Ropa, who heads up public relations for the Teufelhund Veterans Group in Anamosa, a group of veterans who rides and does charity work for veterans together.

Mike Smith, president of the Cedar Rapids Eagle Riders, a part of Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2272, said his group also worked with J & P Cycles a couple years ago.

'They helped us a bunch,” he said. 'J & P Cycles was a huge supporter of ours. They were terrific.”

Parham reached so many people that Jill Parham said she has been overwhelmed by the number of condolences she has received since his passing.

Barber added the museum has been receiving many messages as well.

The museum is creating a special Exhibition Development Fund in Parham's honor.