James F. Paronto
Marriages
Rita Garcia-Paronto
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6B - December 17, 2023
Jim Paronto served as the
NCAA Baseball Secretary
Rules Editor but has also
served as a teacher, coach
and administrator his entire
adult life. He received his
undergraduate and graduate
degrees from Adams State
College and a Doctorate
of Education in Athletic
Administration from
Brigham Young University.
Paronto taught and coached high school football
and baseball in El Centro, California and Monte Vista,
Colorado. He became head baseball coach at Adams State
in 1972. In 1981, he left his alma mater for Brigham Young
University where he served on the Sport and Physical
Education staff, as well as the assistant football coach.
From 1985-1987, he served as assistant football coach at
Oregon State University. In 1987 he coached and taught at
Grand Junction Central High School. In 1990, he became
the head football coach and Assistant Athletic Director at
Mesa State College and then it’s Athletic Director from
1994-1998.
Coach Paronto was also a longtime umpire serving in
the PAC-10, WAC, Mountain West and the Junior College
World Series. He worked the Junior College World Series
15 years and the Connie Mack World Series 5 times. He
served as the Umpire Coordinator for the Mountain West
Conference, the Scenic West Athletic Conference and the
Junior College World Series. In 2003, he became the
NCAA Baseball Secretary Rules Editor.
Jim is survived by his wife Rita Garcia-Paronto, daughter Jami Paronto, son Kristian (Tanya) Paronto and son
Michael (Nyoka) Paronto along with Grandchildren: Reese
Paronto, Kristian Paronto, Anderson Allison, Adelyn
Paronto and Colton Paronto.
A Celebration of Life will be held in April 2024
Services will be held December 22, 2023 10:00 AM at
St Matthews Episcopal Church. 3888 27 1/2 Rd Grand
Junction, CO 81506
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s
name to charity of your choice.
Zoom link for services:
h t t p s:// u s 0 2w e b. z o om.u s/j/ 8 477491729 6? p -
wd=Uk92NklYdXhoTjVMN0tScFpRazNwQT09
