Roy Levon PARNELL

PARNELL, Roy Levon Roy Levon Parnell July 19, 1933 - October 12, 2014. Father, grandfather, uncle, patriot, defender of country and constitution, veteran of wars in Korea and Viet Nam, and a cowboy. A real American hero, he fought the good fight. Long and hard, in more places than he would tell you, and he did it well. A self-made man, Roy ran away from home at age 15 to join the Army, and was active duty for 33 years. He served in Korea and multiple combat actions in Viet Nam. Rising from Private (E1) to Lt. Colonel (O5), he spent time in Germany, Benning, Bragg, Knox, Leavenworth, before winding down his military career leading future officers in ROTC programs in Atlanta, Georgia. After retirement from the military, he dabbled in hardware and commercial services, while waiting for his wife Shelby to retire from her hospital management position. They left Sandy Springs, and moved to Panama City Beach permanently in 1994, and Roy officially became "Cowboy Roy", rarely seen without boots and cowboy hat. Shelby passed away in 2001. On the surface, Roy Parnell was a simple man. Former army officer, then a laid back beach cowboy, boots, hat, and beard. But if you knew Roy Parnell, spent any quality time with him, you know he was anything but a simple man. He had a level of sophistication and depth of knowledge on so many subjects that belied his humble beginnings. From a poor family in Mississippi, to the military, to college and graduate degrees, and a senior military officer. A provider to his family, and now to multiple generations of his family, he was kind hearted and unselfish. He was independent and did things his way, had an opinion but didn't enforce his beliefs on anyone, and had a kind heart. He loved his two sons Adam and Clay, his daughters-in-law Kathleen, Anna, and Jonna, and his four grandchildren Abby, Claire, Clayton, and Katie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you find a veteran or active duty member, thank them, and ask what you can do to help them. Donate something to a veteran or wounded veteran's group. But certainly raise a toast of your beverage of choice to this country and those who defend it. And to Cowboy Roy. He'll be tipping his hat and raising a glass back at you somewhere.