John Thomas Parnell

John Thomas Parnell, 66, of Lexington, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. 

Born on September 18, 1959, in Columbia, John was the son of the late Reverend L.C. and Gerda Parnell. 

John felt blessed to have been raised in a Christian home and gave his life to Christ at the age of 10. He was baptized in the church where his father served as a deacon and later as pastor. John devoted most of his life to serving the Lord and his church. 

He and his wife, Tammy, made Central Assembly of God the church where they dedicated their lives and raised their two daughters. Central Assembly was also where John and Tammy were united in marriage, and they carried a deep love for their church throughout their 42 years together. They faithfully served there for over 30 years until its closing. During that time, John was honored to serve as a deacon and Senior Royal Ranger Commander, and he spent countless hours caring for and maintaining the church. He remained humble and grateful to serve the Lord in any way he could. 

John had a deep interest in Revolutionary War history and 18th-century camping techniques. For many years, he served as the nurse for Camden’s Revolutionary War reenactment. He also enjoyed working in his blacksmith shop, where he crafted his own bullets for traditional guns and black powder rifles. 

John was a highly respected martial artist, dedicating many years to Kempo martial arts. He achieved the rank of 5th-degree black belt and was honored to serve as Soke-Dai of Bushido School of Martial Arts. He was a proud member of the Christian Black Belt Association. 

John earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Midlands Technical College and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina. He became highly skilled in Horizon Clinicals at McKesson Healthcare Corporation and dedicated his career to traveling the country implementing innovative healthcare technology in hospitals. His earlier career included working in the Emergency Department at Kershaw Memorial Hospital and at the Hall Psychiatric Institute, where he met Tammy, who is also a nurse. 

Above all, John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his daughters deeply and did everything he could for them throughout their lives. He was a great man who led his family with faith, showing them who God is not only through his words but through the way he lived each day. He cherished special traditions, including taking his daughters on “daddydaughter dates,” where he would take them to the movies and out to lunch—memories that will be treasured forever. His grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them. 

John is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 39 years, Tammy Rose South Parnell; his daughters, Lauren Elizabeth Patterson and Victoria Rose Williams (Jason); and his beloved grandchildren, Sidnee, Connyr, Zeplyn, and Grayson. He is also survived by his siblings, Deborah McLaughlin, Michael Parnell (Sheryl), and Linda Rabon; his lifelong best friend, David Rivers; and many extended family members and dear friends. 

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his eldest sister, Dorothy Parnell. He will also be dearly missed by his special fur babies, Rosie, and Lulu. They brought him immense joy. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 2:00 PM at Kingdom Culture Church (formerly True-Life Church), 2310 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29169, with Chaplain Mark Hendrix officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Palmetto Cremation Society. Friends and family may call at the home of Tammy Rose South Parnell, 444 Moose Track Trail, Lexington, SC 29073. 

John’s life was a testament to faith, service, and devotion to his family. His legacy is not only in what he accomplished but in how he lived: quietly, generously, and with deep love for those around him. And though he is no longer here, the warmth of his spirit and the example of his life will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.