Doyle Wayne Parnell

Doyle Wayne Parnell passed away in his home on December 20, 2025, at the age of 88.

Doyle was born July 11, 1937 at home, in Paducah, Texas, to Charles Lee (Jack) and Vivian Oneta (Campbell) Parnell. He graduated from Paducah High School and attended the University of North Texas and Texas Tech University, where he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry.

He married Marilyn Annette Perham on August 31, 1958 in Coolidge Arizona. After moving first to Lubbock and then to Paducah, they celebrated 67 years of marriage. Marilyn died December 11, 2025 and Doyle couldn’t live without the love of his life. He died the day after her funeral, and spent the day before his death surrounded by all his family at home.

Doyle received his first pair of cowboy boots at the age of 5 from legendary 6666’s foreman George Humphreys. That became the start of his stint as a cowboy on the Y, Triangles and many other area ranches. A point of pride with Doyle was his father putting him in charge of a crew of cowboys as a young teenager. He spoke broken Spanish, but got the job done.

Doyle was a member of the Texas Tech Rodeo Club and rode broncs. Additionally, Doyle rode polo ponies for an international polo champion, and even had an opportunity to go to Argentina to play polo.

After graduation Doyle returned home to Paducah to work on the family land as a farmer and rancher.

Doyle’s passions included trap shooting, hunting, playing guitar, computers and photography. Doyle frequently went to the Turkey Jamboree to play Western Swing with friends, where he played and sang many times. He loved his cameras and all the gear that went with it. He took pictures of anything and everything, even up to his final days.

Doyle loved hunting and shooting, and he hosted dozens of family and friends through the years on his land. One of his last big purchases was of a rifle just a few months ago, which he needed to shoot wild hogs.

Doyle never met a stranger and could talk for hours on a wide range of subjects. He had a curiosity about the world and others’ lives. Doyle was comfortable walking up to anyone and striking up a conversation about a hobby of his or a topic that piqued his curiosity. He loved to tell stories of his childhood and the past, and adventures from his life.

Doyle took his time not only to tell a story, but to get wherever he needed to be. A notable late-arriver, he likely won’t be on time for his own funeral.

Doyle worked in the family agriculture ventures, for the boll weevil eradication program, and as a long-distance trucker, before retirement.

He was a board member of the Farm Bureau, the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers, the Paducah Housing Authority and the FSA committees. Also, he was President of the Paducah Farmers Co-op gin when the new gin was built, now known as the Paducah Gin.

He took pride knowing he helped get the American Agriculture Movement started and was passionate about the agriculture industry. On multiple occasions Doyle traveled to Washington D.C. in the Tractorcade representing the movement. He spoke to farmers in communities throughout the Panhandle and other states, testified to the Senate Ag Committee, met with Congressmen, and had several photos published commemorating the activities.

He was an active member of the Paducah Church of Christ, and enjoyed studying scripture and learning from various pastors the deeper details of the Bible.

Doyle is survived by three children:  Deaun Fields (Randy), Cheri Vincent (David), and Neal Parnell (Ginger). Grandchildren Jared Fields (Lauren), Jase Fields (Brittany), Cara Parnell (Ben Thompson), and Hannah Gonzalez (Jacob).  Great-Grandchildren are Calvin and Olsen Fields. Additionally, he had four nieces and seven nephews.

Doyle was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marilyn,  father C.L. “Jack” Parnell, and mother Vivian “Sug” Parnell, as well as his brother C.F., sister Norma Nell, nephew Phil Parnell, and by his precious companion Rowdy.

Visitation is scheduled for 1 p.m. December 28, 2025, also Marilyn’s birthday, at the Paducah Church of Christ, with a funeral following at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Paducah Cemetery Fund, Paducah Church of Christ, or a Memorial of your choice.