Oscar Leroy Parnell, a man whose life was as vast and rich as the Alabama landscape that cradled his beginnings and his final days, passed away on March 26, 2026, in his beloved Fairhope, AL, after a long and difficult battle with heart and lung disease. Born on April 20, 1948, in Fairhope, Oscar’s journey was one marked by unwavering dedication, a fierce sense of family, and a spirit that embraced both hard work and heartfelt laughter.

From his early years as a farmer and pig farmer, to his skilled hands shaping wood, Oscar developed a foundation rooted in labor and love for the land—a foundation that carried him through many chapters. Yet it was in his favorite career, that of a small business owner, where he truly found his stride; as a repossession agent and roofer, he brought determination and integrity to his work. His pride in towing and reposing cars was well-known among those who knew him, as was his passion for restoring old cars and wielding wrenches beneath open hoods. His military service as a United States Army E-4, adorned with the National Defense Service Medal and the expert M-14 medal among others, stands testament to his commitment and valor.

Oscar was more than the sum of his professions—he was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, strict yet beloved by all. Family was the north star by which he navigated life. His children, who remain a cornerstone of his legacy, include Daisy Marie Goodson (Bryant) of Daphne, AL; Tina M. Anderson of Gulfport, MS; Stevie L. Parnell (Regina) of Robertsdale, AL; and Tommy Parnell (Donnie) of Atmore, AL. His siblings, Mary Kinsey of Foley, AL; Ray Parnell (Mollie) of Fairhope, AL; and Steve Parnell of Robertsdale, AL, carry forward memories of a brother who was a solid presence in their lives.

Oscar’s family extended into a robust network of grandchildren and great-grandchildren—a tapestry of loved ones he nurtured with equal parts discipline and delight. Grandchildren such as Clarissa Nicole Sowell (Clay) of Auburn, AL; Samantha, Carly, Dean Logan, Heather Marie Anderson, Robert Eugene Anderson, Joshua Farmer, Memory Nicole Farmer, Paige E. Parnell, Jessica Parnell, Corie Parnell (Johnathon), Casey Simerly, Brayden Jones, Sibrina Jones, Victoria Jones, and Josh Jones all hold pieces of his heart. The lineage of great-grandchildren, from Kyndall Norris and Donovan Berito to Kamyrn Booker and Lily Jones, is a testament to his enduring impact.

He was a storyteller and a teacher, forever imparting lessons to those lucky enough to gather around him. His voice, frequently heard urging his granddaughter Clarissa to "slow down and keep it between the ditches," reflects the gentle insistence of a man who wanted the world to be safe and full of respect. Moments of shared joy pepper his memory: hunting trips before dawn with Doug and Bryant, mischievous adventures getting stuck in the mud with a very young Doug and then later in life with Dean, the gleeful muddy escapades that ended with laughter filling a room. Most of his children and grandchildren's first times driving were learning how to pull him and his trucks out of the mud. Fishing with Clarissa and the family on IP, where he declared they were the "only ones special enough to catch a fish," reaffirms his whimsical belief in magic and family closeness.

Oscar's love extended beyond family to the simple pleasures and rituals of life: loving sweets, especially at holiday gatherings; savoring Nanny’s and Clarissa’s banana pudding; the camaraderie of sitting around a kitchen table, where he never met a stranger and everyone was treated like kin. His warmth and humor balanced a strictness that shaped those around him into strong, capable individuals. Even under the hood of the GMC, when he would say, "Let me get that bolt cause you're a girl," his teasing was laced with affection and a desire to teach.

Oscar’s departed loved ones who preceded him include his wife, Bertha Mae Hadley-Parnell, his sons Oscar Douglas “Doug” Parnell and Billy Eugene Parnell Jr., his parents Lottie L. and Roy Parnell, and siblings Billy Eugene Parnell Sr. and Wanda Raines, along with grandson Christopher Farmer. Their absence casts a profound shadow, yet their memories illuminate the path for those who remain.

The community is invited to honor Oscar’s remarkable life at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home - Fairhope Chapel, 19698 South Greeno Road, Fairhope, AL 36532. Visitation will be held on March 30, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a funeral service on March 31, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM.

Oscar Leroy Parnell’s story is one woven through the fabric of a life defined by love, resilience, and an indomitable spirit. He was a man who loved deeply, worked tirelessly, and laughed wholeheartedly—a beacon to all who knew him. His legacy endures through the generations, a testament to a life well-lived, a man deeply loved, and a family forever bound by his unyielding presence.