J.B. (Chief) Parnell

Funeral services for J.B. (Chief) Parnell, 93, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Steve Cowart officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Wells, Texas. Mr. Parnell was born March 31, 1923 in Dialville, Texas to the late Henry Daniel and Fannie Sarah (Williams) Parnell and died Thursday, July 21, 2016 at his residence in Lufkin. Mr. Parnell had resided in Lufkin since 1978. He served on the USS Curtis where he survived a Japanese suicide bomber that hit his ship, killing many of his shipmates. He was an avid basketball fan and in the 1950's was responsible for forming the basketball team sponsored by Pineywoods Business College, where he was also a player and coach. Mr. Parnell retired from the Lufkin Foundry after 40 years, then went on to work for Brookshire Brothers for 16 years until he was 90 years of age. He was a Sunday School teacher for many years and also sang and played guitar at his church in Wells, Texas. Mr. Parnell never forgot a joke and could always keep people laughing. He was a very loving man who was cherished by his family and will be greatly missed by all those that knew him. He was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Margie Parnell; children, Lee Parnell and wife Teri of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, Larry Parnell and wife Wendy of Olympia, Washington; daughter-in-law, Mary Ruth Parnell of Lufkin; grandchildren, Shannah Zorn and husband Jon, Amanda Duke and husband Lewis, Paul Parnell, Aaron Parnell and wife Deanna, Eric Parnell, Rebecca Parnell, James Parnell and wife Jessica; great-grandchildren, Cary Duke, Brittany Duke, Savannah Butler, David Parnell, Dallas Guerrero, Lance Parnell, Sam Zorn, Taylor Johns, Hannah Parnell, Owen Zorn, Kaleb Parnell, Kameron Parnell, Andrew Cavazos and Noah Parnell. He was preceded in death by his siblings and his son, David Parnell. Pallbearers will be James Parnell, Cary Duke, David Parnell, Dallas Guerrero, Lance Parnell, Kaleb Parnell, Aaron Parnell and Joseph Torres. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Parnell, Andrew Cavazos, Lewis Duke and Paul Parnell. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home. Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com. Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.