Thomas Dwayne Parnell

Thomas Dwayne Parnell died on October 3rd, 2018 at his home in Santa Barbara in the presence of his loving family, son Eli Baur and life partner Molly Baur. Surviving are his parents, Thomas and Patricia Parnell of Newbern, Tennessee, sister Cindy (Edward) Dobbs of Memphis, Tennessee, nephew Andrew Dobbs, and nieces Ella and Lila Dobbs.

Affectionately known as Parnell, he was born August 14, 1959 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He grew up in Newbern Tennessee with a large and loving family who knew how to work hard and never forget to take time for playing games and being outside with the children. He graduated from Dyersburg High school in 1977 and attended Vanderbilt University before moving to Santa Barbara with his college friends in 1985.

Traveling with his sister, friends and family, filming the beauty of the world in which we live, for a short time, brought him immense joy.

He was a lifelong fan of film and science fiction. Parnell enjoyed music, screenwriting, photography, creating software, cinematography, and any kind of good conversation. His greatest joy though, was being a father. He lived with Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 30 years, and while it robbed him of his agency at the end of his life, he maintained a strong connection with his friends and family through his pervasive humor and wit despite the adversity it posed. He possessed a quiet compassion that was apparent to all who met him. He was a patient listener to all who spoke, and a stalwart friend to many. He will be missed.

Visitation at 1 p.m., Celebration of his Life will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 14, 2018, at Johnson Williams Funeral Home in Newbern, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to contribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, michaeljfox.org.

Online condolences may be sent to Johnson Williams Funeral Home. https://www.johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com/notices/ ThomasDwayne-Parnell