Kevin Parnell

Kevin Parnell 1949-2024 Kevin Louis Parnell died at home Friday, September 6, 2024, after a recurrence of melanoma. Kevin was born at home to Cleo and Louis Parnell May 20, 1949, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The proud son of a nurse and a teacher, he grew up with a love of learning and a love of sports. In 1967, he attended the University of Denver where he played basketball and earned a degree in History, and later a masters in public policy from Colorado University. After graduating, he followed in his father’s footsteps as a teacher. While teaching at Goddard Middle School, he met his wife Rebecca and they were married in 1978. Shortly thereafter they traveled for 6 months around the world. Kevin spent 35 years teaching, primarily at Arapahoe High School, where he coached cross country, track, and basketball. He was known for his ever-changing quote of the day on his blackboard, his love of history, and the deep care he had for his students. As a father to Emily and Leslie, he was everything and more than they could have asked for in a dad. He encouraged them to pursue their passions, instilled in them a love of travel, and taught them to appreciate a good musical, movie, or joke. Most importantly, he was always a calm, steady, and warm presence. He loved his daughters and never failed to remind them of the pride and joy they brought him. The Parnell family was also blessed with an extended German family when Wolfgang Hackenberg joined the family as a foreign exchange student. His brothers, Herwig and Gereon soon followed, and tour families have been entwined ever since. Kevin had many circles of friends where he was beloved for his quick wit and easy conversation. From his tennis and breakfast buddies to investment club, philanthropy groups, fishing trips, and casual dinner friends, his social calendar was booked. One of his greatest joys was being a grandfather to Thomas (14) and William (12), and Joseph (11) and Andrew (9). Helping with childcare since they were born, cheering them on from the sidelines as their number one fan, volunteering for their teams and their schools, and vacationing with them everywhere from the Colorado mountains to Mexico and all over Europe - each grandson shared a special relationship with their PopPop. Kevin is survived by his wife of 46 years Rebecca Stewart Parnell, his daughters Emily Muellenberg and Leslie O’Rourke, his sons-in-law Aaron Muellenberg and John O’Rourke, his grandsons Thomas and William O’Rourke and Joseph and Andrew Muellenberg, his sisters and brother in law Marcia and Masato Takahashi and Lorna Parnell, and his niece Rumi Takahashi, and her family. He had the great gift of turning friends into family and all of these family and friends will deeply miss his quick humor, ceaseless knowledge, and his unending kindness, support, and devotion. While his passing was sudden, and we all thought we had more time, we're blessed to have had him in our lives at all. We will miss him and love him forever. A memorial service and celebration of life in honor of Kevin will be held on Friday, September 20th, 4-7 pm at The Knolls Tennis Courts and Club House. 3400 E. Geddes Dr, Centennial 80122. All are welcome…he’s going to be bummed that he missed it! Instead of flowers, please consider donating to MD Anderson Cancer Center or the LPS Foundation