Thomas Hugh Parnell Sr

KINGSPORT - Loving father, grandfather, uncle, and devoted husband, Thomas Hugh Parnell, Sr. - better known to his friends and family as "Tom" - passed away peacefully on the afternoon of May 12, 2013 at Wellmont Hospice in Holston Valley Hospital.

Born to Katherine Padden Parnell and Dr. William Thomas Parnell on January 26, 1938 in Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York, Tom enjoyed his youth along with his sister and four brothers as a true New Yorker - playing high school football, spending as much time as possible at his family's beach cabana, and eating the delicious meals his Dad liked to cook. For two years, Tom attended Manhattan College where he was on the track team and in R.O.T.C. He graduated from Hofstra College in Hempstead, NY in June 1961 with a degree in Chemistry. This degree would come in handy later, but first Tom served in the U.S. Army for two years beginning in November 1961. As a petroleum specialist, he was stationed in Incheon, Korea. His service complete, Tom began applying for jobs. Much to his own amazement, he landed in the deep South in Kingsport, TN in 1964 with Eastman's Chemical Division. He retired in 1997 after 33 years of service in Marketing/Product Management. A favorite early 'work' experience was being sent in 1965 to serve on the staff for six months at the New York World's Fair in the Eastman Kodak Pavilion.

Tom met his future wife Cleve Fletcher of Winston-Salem, NC at Eastman where they both worked. His favorite expression was "Who said the North and the South can't get along?" They married in 1966 and shortly thereafter, Tom was transferred to the New York sales office (which his co-workers described as Tom "Being Home from the Hills"). Back on his own home turf in the New York area, Tom's family began to expand. Three beloved children Tom, Jr., Joe and Elizabeth (Liz) were born in Red Bank, New Jersey, but the entire family returned to Kingsport in 1971 for Tom's move into Product Management at Eastman. They settled into a life of true southern living. Tom's love for the ocean simply transferred from Long Island, NY to Litchfield Beach, SC, the family's favorite vacation spot.

Tom's love for his children and sports was evident as he coached them through soccer and tennis and served for several years as a coach for the Kingsport Boys and Girls Club (Soccer Coach of the Year in 1979) and for the Kingsport Youth Soccer Association. He also touched the lives of area teens while serving as an advisor for Junior Achievement. He enjoyed ushering at the St. Dominic's early service for many years and also made the most of his long-term golfing hobby at Ridgefields.

Tom is survived by his wife Cleve; sons Tom, Jr. (Hope Haskins) of Kingsport, TN and Joe (Nancy Rotella) of Naperville, IL, and daughter Elizabeth (Liz) of Charlotte, NC; his beloved grandchildren Emily and Matthew Parnell (Kingsport), and Ryan, Connor, Aidan and Andrew Parnell (Naperville). Tom is also survived by his brother Michael Parnell (Sheila); and sisters-in-law Lee McCullough, Elaine Parnell, Linda Parnell and LaVaughn Parnell; and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored. Tom is predeceased by his parents Dr. William Thomas Parnell and Katherine Padden Parnell, his sister Grail Killian, his identical twin brother William Parnell and his brothers Robert Parnell and Paul Parnell.

A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, May 15 at 5 p.m. in St. Dominic Catholic Church at 2517 John B. Dennis Highway with Rev. Michael F. Nolan officiating. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at Meadowview Convention center immediately after the Memorial Mass. At a later date, a family inurnment service will take place at Precious Blood of Christ Church in Pawley's Island, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kingsport at 1 Positive Place, P.O. Box 784, Kingsport, TN 37662, or to the charity of one's choice.