Walter Parazaider, one of the founding members of the rock band Chicago, has died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 81.
The musician passed away on June 17, 2026, while in hospice care, with his wife, JacLynn Parazaider, by his side. According to his wife, the musician had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years before his death.
Parazaider had publicly shared his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in April 2021, years after stepping away from touring with Chicago. At the time, the news was difficult for longtime fans who remembered him as one of the key musicians behind the band’s early sound.
He helped form Chicago in 1967, when the group was first known as The Big Thing. The band later became Chicago Transit Authority before finally shortening its name to Chicago in 1969.
As part of the band’s brass and woodwind section, Parazaider played alongside Lee Loughnane and James Pankow, helping create the horn-driven style that made Chicago stand apart from many other rock groups of the era.
Away from music, Parazaider shared nearly six decades of marriage with JacLynn. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Here is a closer look at his married life and family details!
Walter Parazaider’s Wife JacLynn Bryce Goudie and Two Children
Parazaider was married to JacLynn Bryce Goudie, also known as Jacqui, for nearly six decades. The couple married in 1966, just a year before Parazaider helped form the band that would later become Chicago.
Their marriage became one of the quieter but more lasting parts of his story. Parazaider was reportedly the only founding member of Chicago who remained married to his first wife, a rare detail in a band whose career stretched across decades of touring, fame, and major life changes.
After his death, JacLynn said they had shared “59 wonderful years” together. She was also by his side when her hubby died in hospice care after his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Walter and JacLynn had two daughters, Laura Parazaider and Felicia Parazaider. Laura has a musical link to her father’s world and is credited as a songwriter on “Get On This,” a track from Chicago’s album Sisyphus.
Felicia took a different creative and spiritual path. She is known as an ordained interfaith minister, artist, speaker, and activist, and founded The Revolution of Love, a ministry and movement focused on nonviolence, healing, and social change.
In later years, Walter and JacLynn moved away from their long-time Southern California base and settled in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada.
How Much Was Walter Parazaider’s Net Worth?
Parazaider’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million to $15 million at the time of his death.
Most of his wealth came from his long career with Chicago, the legendary rock band Walter helped form in 1967. As one of the band’s original members, Parazaider earned through album sales, touring, royalties, and the group’s long-running catalogue.
Chicago became one of the most successful American rock bands of all time, selling more than 100 million records worldwide. The band also built a strong legacy with multiple gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.
Parazaider was not the frontman, but his saxophone, flute, and woodwind work helped shape Chicago’s signature sound.
