Jimmie Ray Parnell

1934 - 2008

Jimmie Ray Parnell 1934 - 2008 Jimmie Ray Parnell was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on February 20, 1934. He passed from our mortal world in his home surrounded by family on October 12, 2008. Jimmie graduated Broken Arrow High School in 1952. After graduation, Jimmie enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for four years aboard the USS Wasp as a radio tech. Jimmie met and married his wife, Juanita, in Sunland, California. Jimmie and Juanita were married for fifty-one years and together had two children. Jimmie moved his family to Bakersfield in 1965 when he gained employment as a police officer with the Bakersfield Police Department. While employed with the BPD Jimmie worked diligently on earning his Associates of Arts degree from Bakersfield College in Criminal Justice. Jimmie retired from the BPD in 1971 after sustaining an injury in the line of duty. Jimmie was a very devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was very active with his children in both the Greenfield Baseball Association (G.B.A.) and Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.) programs. Jimmie is preceded in death by his son, Jimmie Ray Parnell, Jr.; his mother and father, Ross and Birdie Parnell; his brothers, Herschel and R.G. Parnell; and his sisters, Wilma Coplen and Maxine Heath. He is survived by his loving wife, Juanita; daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Dallas Warren of Wyoming; granddaughter, Tara Ann Barber of Wyoming; grandson, Ted Barber of Utah; granddaughter, Tosha Barber of Oklahoma; grandson, Kidd Ray Warren of Wyoming; great- granddaughter, Kindra Lynn Barber, and great-grandson, Ted James Barber, both of Utah; brothers, Danny Parnell of Hawaii, and Dale Parnell; sister, Sherrie (Parnell) Crothers; several brothers and sister-in-laws, many nieces and nephews, and even more friends. Jimmie was a member of the VFW Post 97 and the American Legion 26. Jimmie never met a stranger and was a very good-hearted and caring person. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choosing. Services will be held Tuesday, October 14, 10:30 a.m., at Sacred Heart Church, 9915 Ramos Ave., Bakersfield, California 93307. Papa, we know you loved all of us dearly. We all loved you and will miss you very much. God saw you getting tired, a cure not meant to be, so He put his arms around you, and whispered... "Come with Me." Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors