SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 378

In Memory

of

Edward J. Parnell Jr.

WHEREAS, The certain knowledge of a life well lived may help comfort the loved ones of Edward J. Parnell Jr. of San Antonio, who passed away on February 8, 2015, at the age of 78; and

WHEREAS, Born on June 22, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ed Parnell was the son of Edward J. Parnell Sr. and Margaret Ragin Parnell; he joined the United States Navy in 1954, and, over the course of a career that spanned two decades, served on the USS Ainsworth, Bronstein, Huse, and Kyne and at naval facilities along the East Coast; he retired in 1974 as a senior chief petty officer; and

WHEREAS, Active with the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Mr. Parnell served as its executive vice president and as a member of its board of directors; he also worked as a veterans benefits counselor at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, from which he retired in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parnell distinguished himself through his efforts in behalf of members of the military and their families; he served as president of the San Antonio Chief Petty Officers Association, as vice president of the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, and as a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Fleet Reserve Association; he also contributed to the greater community through his involvement with the Hill Country Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and the Fort Sam Houston Optimist Club; and

WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Parnell enjoyed the love and support of his wife of 58 years, Pamela Jeanette, and he took great pride in their three children, Donna, Edward, and Maureen; and

WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to his family, his country, and his fellow servicemen and women, Edward Parnell leaves behind a record of good works that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Edward J. Parnell Jr. and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, Pamela Parnell; to his children, Donna Williams and her husband, Rhiny, Edward J. Parnell III, and Maureen Wagner; to his grandchildren, Theodore Williams and his wife, Jacqueline, Tamara Williams, and Blair Wagner; to his great-granddaughter, Penelope Williams; to his siblings, Sandra Saunders, Debra Goode, Wayne Parnell, Ronald Parnell, and Carolyn Sandford; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ed Parnell.

Uresti

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 16, 2015, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate