Jack Parnell Death: Obituary, Cause Of Death, Funeral

On April 26, 2023, Jack Parnell, a renowned radio host and the father of comedian and actor Chris Parnell, passed away in the company of his loved ones. The public is not informed of the cause of death.

His voice was instantly recognizable and unforgettable, and he was a guy of great talent and generosity of soul.

No information was given about the funeral services, but everyone was missing him, remembering him, and expressing their condolences to him on social media.

“We lost Jack Parnell yesterday. He was a friend of my dad. They were both ham radio operators. One night at my home in Oakhaven my dad said Jack Parnell was coming by our house. I said ‘what …he is coming to our house?’  My dad knows him! Wow. Jack pulls up in our driveway in the biggest baddest boss mustang I have ever seen. It even rumbled. At that moment I knew I was going to do radio . And I did. A chance meeting that changes my life.”

In September 1955, Parnell worked an after-school job at the Milan, Tennessee, radio station WKBJ. A song unexpectedly appeared on the on-air monitor as Parnell prepared for a newscast by pulling news from the teletype.

In the control room, where he had rushed to investigate the strange sound, he overheard program director Bill Haney and his close buddy Perkins conversing. When Parnell inquired about the music, Haney said Perkins’ most recent album was playing. “Yeah, hoss, maybe it’ll make me a little cigarette money,” was Perkins’ trademark casual response to Parnell.

Jack played a vital role in the radio industry, and his contributions will be dearly missed. He was a great professional who always went above and beyond to complete any project to the best of his ability.

Jack was of extraordinary brilliance and professionalism, as many who had the pleasure of working with him know. His dulcet tones added charm to any production, whether a somber documentary, memorable advertisement, or educational business video.