Danny PARNELL

PARNELL, Danny Lee,

our loving husband, father, son, Pop-E, brother and uncle, was called home in the early hours of March 6, 2012 unexpectedly. Danny was born in Richmond, Va., on May 24, 1951 to John Andrew and Frances Boyd Parnell. The family moved to Chester, Va., when he was two years old. He excelled in athletics and graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1970 as a football player. His love of sports continued throughout his life. Danny was a football coach for many years with Salem Church Athletic Association, also serving on the Athletics Association Board for many years. He also coached baseball with the Chesterfield Little League for many years. He touched many lives through coaching. After serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during Vietnam, he worked in the Utilities Department for Chesterfield County for 36 years, authoring a popular monthly newsletter, "The Tripod Times." Danny was lauded for his performance and was named the County's Employee of the Year twice. Danny had many hobbies, all of which he excelled in, woodworking, gardening, painting and crafting, to name but a few. Danny kept a journal in which he documented his life's events daily for 35 years. Danny was an avid UVA sports fan and his family will always cherish their memories from various UVA sporting events. Danny taught Sunday school at Centralia Presbyterian Church for 28 years, where he was a lifelong member. He could decorate a Christmas cookie better than any famous chef on TV. Danny leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 37 years, Wanda Anderson Parnell; daughter, Kimberley Parnell; son, Ryan Parnell and his wife, Emily; his precious grandchildren, Archer and Bowen Parnell; mother, Frances Parnell; sister, Martha Gardner (Russell); brother, Johnny Parnell (Marcia); devoted nieces, nephews and mother-in-law. He will be missed by many, but joins his sister, Mercedes; brother, Michael; and father, John Parnell, as angels to watch over those he leaves behind. Danny was loved by many and will be remembered by all. The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rte. 10). His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Centralia Presbyterian Church. Interment to follow in Dale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Centralia Presbyterian Church, 4625 Centralia Rd., Chester, Va. 23831.



This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.