More detail on this person: James Ivan Parnell
was born 20 May, 1940, in Stephenville, Texas and
left this earth to be with the Lord on February
28, 2015.
His parents were Shelby Delbert Parnell, and Ruby
Edith Fulbright Parnell (both deceased). At the
age of three, he moved to Franklin, Tennessee with
his mother and stepfather; John William Jewell.
Jimmy (as he was called) grew up in the family
owned grocery store, Jewell's Market. He was
among the first graduating class in the new high
school in 1958. Jimmy volunteered for the draft,
and was called into the U.S Army on 12 October,
1959. He began his military career at Ft. Jackson,
SC. In 1960, he was transferred to Ft. Campbell,
KY. for parachute training, and became a member
of the 101st Airborne Div. Being close to home,
Jimmy found the love of his life there in
Franklin, and on 4 May, 1962, he married Geraldine
Ryan. The wedding was held in Chapel #4 at Ft.
Campbell, KY, which was actually in TN. Shortly
thereafter, Jimmy began the aviation portion of
his career by attending Aviation Warrant Officer
Class #63-1W. Initial training began at Camp
Walters, TX, near Mineral Wells, which was also,
where his mother had returned to reside. The final
training took place at Ft. Rucker, AL. In April of
1963, Jimmy graduated as a WO-1, Rotary Wing
Aviator. In June of that year, the couple's first
child, Lisa, was born while at Ft. Rucker.
Spending almost 22 years in the Army, Jimmy and
family made many moves. In 1965, the second
child, Linda, was born while they were stationed
at Ft. Lewis, WA. The third child, Ryan, was born
in 1967, while at Augsburg, Germany. Jimmy made
a tour to Korea, two tours to Germany, and two
combat tours in Vietnam. While serving with B
Troop, 1/9 Cav., 1st Cav. Div.(Airmobile), and the
1st Avn. Bde. in the Vietnam conflict, he earned
the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star,
Purple Heart, and Air Medal w/ 38 Oak Leaf
clusters. He flew approximately 1500 combat hours
in helicopter gunships. Other badges earned during
his career were the National Defense Service
Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,
Vietnamese Service Medal w/1 Silver and 2 Bronze
Stars, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/palm,
Presidential Unit Citation, Parachutist Badge, and
Master Army Aviator Badge. Jim (shortened as he
got older) and family came to Belton in October
1972, when he was assigned to Ft. Hood. Except
for a short 27 months in Germany, his remaining
military career was spent at Ft. Hood. In
1974/1975, Jim worked with the Belton Little
League Baseball, and Girl's Softball. He was a
coach for 12-14 year old girls, sponsored by
McNamara Auto Parts. In May, 1981, he retired as
Chief Warrant Four, from the 6th Cav. Bde. at Ft
Hood, TX. He immediately began working for
Superior Chaircraft. Jim was continuing his
education, and received a BA of Business from
UMHB in May of 1987. Jim continued his second
career with Superior Chaircraft, (shortened to
Superiorchair in 1992), which was eventually
changed to Superior Seating/Izzy design. He
worked as assembly/shipping/receiving supervisor,
purchasing agent, receiving/warehouse supervisor,
and Traffic manager. He retired there May 4th,
2006, with 25 years service. Jim was a 32nd degree
Mason, and a member of Gatesville Lodge 197. The
family loved outdoor sports, boating, camping, and
all were involved with dirt bikes. Starting in
1973, dirt bikes eventually gave way to street
touring bikes. Jim was a Lifetime Member of the
American Motorcyclist Assn. He was a long time
member of the Ft. Hood Dirt Riders, Texas
Motorcycle Riders Assn, a Charter member of the
Wings of Eagles Chapter of the Christian
Motorcycle Assn in Temple, Chapter T of the Gold
Wing Road Riders Assn, a Charter member of the
Heart of Texas Trikers of Waco, and the Patriot
Guard Riders of Central Texas. Jim & Jerry enjoyed
numerous trips with the bike/camper to places like
Riudoso, NM, Sturgis, SD, Daytona Beach, FL,
Sue Ste Marie, MI, Knoxville & Nashville, TN, and
almost every county in Texas. He was a member
and officer in the Booster clubs for the Central
Texas Stampede, Central Texas Blackhawks, and
Cen-Tex Marshals Hockey teams. He was a
member of the VFW, DAV, & American Legion.
Jim is survived by his wife, Jerry Parnell of
Moody, 2 daughters Lisa & Keith White of
Gatesville, Linda & Scott Gresak of The
Woodlands, 1 son Ryan & Tina Parnell of Moody, 6
Grandchildren - Kim & James Burgess of Troy,
Dayton McClendon of Belton, Kayla Parnell of
Temple, Lauren Gresak of The Woodlands, Kristin
Parnell of Temple, and Tyler Meyer of Moody, 3
great-grandkids Alexis, Lilly & Shelby Burgess of
Troy.
Due to his father's remarriage, he is also
survived by 2 sisters; Duanne Stockton of Plano,
TX, Shelane Roberts of Big Spring, TX, and a
brother, Gregory Parnell of Renton, WA.
This information was last updated 02/28/2013
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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