James L. Parsons III, owned SmashMouth Burgers

James “Jamie“ L. Parsons III peacefully answered the Lord’s call Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Milton. Jamie, as he was affectionately known, was born in Wilmington, Oct. 24, 1969. He resided in Lewes with his parents James “Skip“ L. Parsons Jr. and Joanne Walls Parsons.

Jamie spent his formative years in the Lewes area and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School.  He then joined the Army Reserves and went to Texas. While in the Army, he attended the Academy of Health Sciences and graduated as an X-ray specialist in 1991.

After the Army, Jamie moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and worked at the Medical College of Pennsylvania as an X-ray tech. He also attended a massage therapy school and worked as a massage therapist. 

In 1995, Jamie relocated to the Boston area, where he attended Johnson and Wales Culinary School, and then went on to graduate with his degree in culinary arts from Newbury College in 1999. Following graduation, Jamie did a summer internship at the 5-star White Barn Inn under Jonathan Cartwright (Kennebunkport, Maine). He also opened his own restaurant in Kennebunkport called The Blue Sky Grille to rave reviews! He eventually went on to work under celebrity chef, Todd English. Working at his flagship restaurant Olives in Charlestown, Mass., and then Figs. Jamie continued to make a name for himself at various restaurants including Oregano’s, Metropolitan Group, Legal C Bar, Legal Seafood and Lincoln Kitchen before moving back to the Lewes area in 2018. After moving back to Delaware, Jamie worked as the executive chef at DeFibo’s and then Gilligan’s in Milton. 

In 2020, Jamie took a chance on himself, chased his dream and SmashMouth Burgers was born! Jamie created many delicious burger combinations and gained the support of the community quickly. He received the Best of Delaware award for his burgers two years in a row.

Jamie was quite a business visionary and was always looking for another avenue of revenue. On July 1, 2022, Milton Mechanics was born and the parking lot and work bays have been full ever since. 

Jamie’s love of food and music permeated all aspects of his life. He was most at home in the kitchen playing his favorite music and cooking. Jamie could make a gourmet meal out of ramen noodles, beans and any kind of protein. He was always making his magic happen for us to enjoy. His spontaneous and loving nature will be missed immensely by those who love him. 

In addition to his loving wife Nichole Barnett Parsons, Jamie is survived by his children, Georgia Parsons, Jake Parsons, Sydney Parsons and Becca Bobbit; his stepchildren, Thomas Catalfamo and his wife Gabriella, Vincent Catalfamo, Matthew Catalfamo and his wife Lexie, Kayrose Catalfamo, Holt Baker, and Cale Baker; his mother, Joanne W. Parsons; his brother; Jeremy Parsons; and nephew Cody Parsons, the mothers of his children Lisa Sotir Parsons and Ashley Hartford; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Jamie is preceded in death by his father James “Skip” Parsons Jr.; maternal grandparents Howard Bush, Ethel Bush and Joseph Walls; paternal grandparents James Parsons Sr. and Helen Parsons; as well as numerous aunts and uncles. 

A celebration of life for this extraordinary man will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., on his birthday Monday, Oct. 24, at Schellville, 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach.