Lewis Jake Parnham

CHAPEL HILL – Lewis Jake Parnham, age 22, died at the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryant Hospice Home of UNC Health Care on July 6th 2020. Lewis was born on May 10th 1998 to Sarah and Stuart Parnham.

Lewis was born in Peterborough, England, where he attended Primary school at Hampton Hargate Primary. Lewis moved to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina at the tender age of nine with his parents where he attended Charles Pinckney Elementary School, Cario Middle school, and graduated from Wando High school. Lewis returned to England to study Biochemistry at Hallam University in Sheffield but never got a chance to finish his studies. Lewis returned to the US to fight his cancer. During this fight, Lewis worked at Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant SC. Lewis would continue to work all the way through his brutal Chemotherapy and radiation treatments which is a true testament to his character and strength. Lewis beat his cancer into remission and moved with his parents to Chapel Hill NC. Lewis immediately started working for Chapel Hill Moving Company where he gained a lot of knowledge and experience but more importantly friendships that he cherished. Lewis pursued his interest in the stock market and loved to trade options. This was something that Lewis was very successful with and loved the idea that he could make money before he got out of bed in the morning. Lewis was one of those people who could turn his hand to anything and throughout the years he taught himself how to play guitar, piano and oddly the didgeridoo which could be heard throughout the Briar Chapel community where he lived. Lewis was an avid gamer and built himself an impressive gaming PC from scratch. Lewis loved to spend time with his wife Kate; his face would light up with nothing but love and admiration for her as she quickly became his entire life. Lewis’s cancer returned in November 2019 and he fought it with every ounce of his being. Throughout his courageous battle he continued to be the most caring, loving, and admirable husband and son. Lewis never gave up fighting even as he succumbed to the cancer.

Lewis is survived by his wife Kate Parnham, his Mother Sarah Parnham, Dad Stuart Parnham, his dog, Willow and crested gecko, Levy. Lewis was preceded in death by Grandmother Carol Adams, Grandfather Melvin Carter Nan Jenny Carter.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael St Chapel Hill, Tuesday July 14th at 11.00AM. Guests are asked to arrive early to pay their respects.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sarcoma Foundation of America, https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/lewis-parnham/sarah-carterparnham

The Parnham family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.