Dr. Marc David Parnell

Dr. Marc David Parnell, 69, a near lifelong resident of El Dorado, died Wednesday from complications due to Lewy Body Dementia. Marc was born on September 25, 1952 in El Dorado, Arkansas, to Carlton and Joy Parnell. Preceding him in death was his mother.

Along with his father, grieving Marc’s absence and celebrating his joyful time on earth are his brother Joe and wife Becky of El Dorado; the love of his life Patti Struck Parnell, to whom Marc was married for 48 years; son Jason Parnell and wife Ginger, and daughter Amy Parnell Small. He was a beloved Papa to

grandsons McCabe Parnell and Russell Pridgen and granddaughters Layla Small and Kaili Pridgen. The pleasure Marc took in his abundance of friends was surpassed only by the pride he took in his family.

Marc attended El Dorado Public Schools until 1969 when his family moved to Illinois, where he and Patti met. A 1970 graduate of Morris High School in Illinois, Marc completed requirements for Optometry school in three years at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was and remains a proud Kappa Sig. He enrolled in Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, and after graduation in 1977, Marc and Patti came back to the hometown he loved, purchased Sol Carter’s practice, and later joined Drs. Simpson, Shofner, and Echols. In 2000, he and Dr. Scott Simpson merged their practice with South Arkansas Eye Clinic.

Marc retired in 2019 after 42 years of improving not only patients’ vision, but their spirits. He was always happy to see patients and made them feel not only confident and relaxed, but welcomed. He took great care with each and every one.

He was Captain of the Union Station Breakfast Club, where for many years friends of all political stripes started weekday mornings laughing and talking about anything but politics. Marc kept the Country Club Monday Night Football group in stitches. Sometimes those guys actually watched football. A brick in the Busch Stadium walkway honors the 6 ELDO BOYS who made an annual trek to St. Louis to see their beloved Cardinals play. Marc did not hunt (“too much work”), but fed his competitive spirit playing golf. Good friends and an ice chest of beer insured for him a successful fishing trip.

The summer roses that frame his and Patti’s home confirm he was a skilled Master Gardener. No one could craft a handwritten thank you or thinking of you note like Marc. There likely remain hundreds in recipients’ memorabilia.

Above all, Marc’s favorite sport was politics, and the dwindling number of Yellow Dog Democrats in South Arkansas is now even lower. His expansive collection of political memorabilia from all parties is in the care of the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society. Among the items is a white plate that

Marc acquired at a charity auction. The plate bears nothing but the signature of one of his political heroes who was too hard-headed to actually decorate the plate. Alongside bumper stickers and political paraphernalia spanning decades, Marc’s office walls were crowded with framed photos of him alongside local, state and U.S. elected officials, including a future president.

There was no way Marc could have played poker. His face always gave him away. Slightly raised eyebrows and a mischievous look preceded delivery of yet another extraordinary and memorable witticism. And always his face lit up when he saw loved ones and friends approaching, a gift that made this world a little brighter for everyone around him.

Maya Angelou has said that people may forget what you did or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel. None who knew him will ever forget Marc.

An active advocate for his profession, Marc served as President of the Arkansas Optometric Association and the Arkansas State Board of Optometry. He was a mentor to many an aspiring optometrist.

Locally he gave his time and service as President of the Kiwanis Club and TAC House Board, and he chaired both the El Dorado Golf & Country Club Board and Union County Community Foundation Board. He was a South Arkansas Community College trustee and a director of the El Dorado Industrial Development Corporation.

Marc was reared in First Baptist Church in El Dorado, but he did not hesitate when his future father-in-law insisted he convert to the Roman Catholic faith. Patti and he are members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where Marc served on the vestry and senior warden.

Services are at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 512 Champagnolle, El Dorado, 71730. Masks are encouraged for those at risk of contracting COVID. There will be no visitation.

The family respectfully requests memorials be made to either St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; John R. Williamson Hospice House, 2301 Champagnolle Rd., El Dorado, 71730; or South Arkansas Community College Foundation, P. O. Box 7010, El Dorado, 71731.

Condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com