Harold Eugene Parnell

1934 - 2024

Harold Eugene "Gene" Parnell went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 8, 2024. Gene was born to Frank and Sylvia (Bray) Parnell on Oct. 26, 1934 in Oklahoma. He had one brother Alvin and one sister Aline.

When he was a young boy, they moved to California. He attended Orosi High School and graduated in 1952. There he met the love of his life Betty Dooley, whom he married in December of 1952 and shared 71 wonderful years of marriage together. They had three daughters, Debbie, Sandi and Carey, whom he was very proud of. He moved his family to Hanford in 1959, purchased their home and lived there the rest of his life. His daughters had six children between them. His eyes would light up when their names were mentioned or they got together. When all six grandchildren married and started their families, he eventually became a proud Great-Grandpa of thirteen great-grandchildren. He was like putty in their hands.

Gene was a poultry feed salesman for many years. Most of his years were spent with Broemmel Grain and Milling Company of Reedley. In the early 70's he began to raise his own pullets – under Parnell Pullets, which he did for a little over 30 years.

Throughout this time, Gene had met a number of young high school men through attending the Hanford High School football, basketball and baseball games. These young men worked for him when he needed help to debeak and vaccinate the chickens. Their friendship with Gene grew over the years. He would lovingly speak of them as the "Hanford Outlaws" and enjoyed telling stories about them.

Growing up Gene loved to play football and baseball, and go hunting and fishing. He assisted in leading his football team to a valley championship. He was a great catcher who was sought after by the Pittsburg Pirates. He started hunting when he was young. His father taught him it wasn't just a sport that whatever he killed he made use of. When he moved to Hanford, he got acquainted with numerous hunting buddies. They had many wonderful hunting trips and enjoyed also getting together for pheasant and dove feeds.

His fishing and camping trips became his favorite over the years. He and Betty along with numerous friends made many trips to Pine Flat, Wishon, Lake Almanor and Rio Vista just to name a few. They were also members of the Kings Kampers RV Club for over 30 years. Being together with friends, playing in washer and cribbage tournaments was always enjoyable to them along with the potlucks.

Even though they were busy living life with friends, Gene's family always came first. He loved all of the family get together's and individual family visits. One of his favorite times was Christmas. He enjoyed seeing all of the grandchildren sitting in a semi-circle in front of him in his recliner to open their gifts. This included the Deftereos family and Cheryl Leal whom he called his family also. They were not just his neighbors, but were wonderful friends who continued to help him when needed. During the pandemic Cheryl also started playing cribbage with them, which kept them busy while being cooped up.

Gene lived a full life of joy and happiness. He will be dearly missed by many, especially his family. He is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter, Debbie, daughter and son-in law, Carey & Albert Madrigal, his grandchildren, Brettina and Sam Ashworth, Gage (Emily), Rhyanne and Rylee, Bridget and Reggie Ellis, Alyssa and Isaac, Billy and Melissa Headrick, Penelope and Millie, Brandi and A.J. Pereira, Bryce and Sadie, Megan and Johnny Barcelos, Dylan and Chelsea, and Becky and Ayman AlHaider, Hadi and Mariam.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Sylvia Parnell, brother, Alvin Parnell (Norma), sister, Aline Williams (Don) and Daughter, Sandra (Sandi) (Alan) Borges.

Viewing will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 at People's Funeral Home, 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA 93230.

Graveside will be held Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Grangeville Cemetery located at 10428 14th Ave., Armona, CA 93202.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone for their love and support. We thank you for your gracious prayers and comforting words. Your kindness means more to us than you will ever know.