Michael Jesse Parnell

Michael Jesse Parnell took his final breath early in the morning of February 6, after an extended battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. His wife, Marie, and his son, Jamie, were with him.

Mike was born in Missoula, Montana, on February 19, 1949, where he attended local schools and graduated from Hellgate High School in 1967. Prior to graduation, in 1965, he met his partner of more than 47 years, Christine. The two married in November of 1969 while Mike was home on leave from the United States Marine Corps.

They left Montana in 1974 upon Mike’s graduation from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. Guided by a strong sense of purpose and an unrivaled drive, Mike went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University in 1979, followed by a Ph.D. in Toxicology and Pharmacology from Washington State University in 1986.

During these years, Mike served in a wide range of roles, including Research Physiologist, Emergency Veterinarian for military working dogs, Instructor of Emergency Battlefield Medicine, and USAF Liaison Officer for the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and the Department of Defense at Brooks Air Force Base.

He later served as Facilities Veterinarian at the University of Idaho; Chief of the Biochemistry Branch at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; and Facilities Veterinarian and Research Toxicologist for the FDA at the National Center for Toxicological Research.

Along the way, he and Chris welcomed three children—Jennifer, Erin, and Jamie. In 1989, the family returned to Montana when Mike became a Facilities Veterinarian, and later Chief of the Veterinary Branch, at the Rocky Mountain Operations Branch of the NIH/NIAID at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. Mike retired from Rocky Mountain Laboratories in 2013, following Chris’s passing in October of 2012.

Mike was also a proud member of the United States uniformed services, serving 1968–1974 as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, 1979–1988 as a Major in the United States Air Force, and 1988–2007 as a Captain (O-6) in the United States Public Health Service. He retired in 2007 after 35 years of combined uniformed service, a career firmly rooted in the service of others.

None were more surprised than Mike that he was lucky enough to find a second chance at love when he met Marie Herbort in December 2013. The two married on February 14, 2015, and went on to share many adventures side by side until the very end, including Mike’s tenure as Senior Biocontainment Veterinarian at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Marie’s love and care for Mike throughout his illness was a truly humbling and inspiring thing to witness, touching many lives.

Mike is survived by his siblings: his brother, Jim Borgford-Parnell, and his three sisters, Renamary Rauchenstein, Sara Rowe, and Ruth Adams. He is also survived by his three children and one grandchild—his daughters, Jennifer Parnell of Hamilton, Montana, and Erin Parnell of Missoula, Montana, and her child, Ryah Roby, also of Missoula; and his son, Jamie Parnell of Phoenix, Arizona. His wife and constant companion of the past eleven years, Marie Parnell, also survives him.

Volumes could be written about Mike’s countless academic, professional, and personal achievements. He lived a life that few could dream of. But at his core, Mike should be remembered for his heart; for his tenacity and resilience, both physical and mental; for his compassion and empathy; for his sincere belief in standing up for what is right and good; and for his immeasurable capacity for love. And yes, for his stories.

When you think of Mike in the future, let his memory inspire you to do the right thing, even when it is hard. Let it encourage you to stand up for the little guy. And let it remind you to live life fully. The world is favored with few like Mike. How lucky we were to have known him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at mjparnellmemorial@gmail.com. Thank you to all who loved him.