Michael Darin Parnell

Article Last Updated; Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:34AM

Parnell

Durango resident Michael Darin Parnell died on U.S. Highway 160 near Three Springs while rescuing an injured cat on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. He was 38.

Mr. Parnell was born to Charles and Mary Parnell in Hampton, Va., on Oct. 19, 1970. In 1988, he graduated from Sumter High School in Sumter, S.C. He moved to Durango in 1990, and had lived here since then except for a stint in Austin, Texas.

Mr. Parnell went on to attend Pueblo Community College and Fort Lewis College. His ultimate goal was to teach music.

Mr. Parnell was passionate about playing the guitar and was the lead guitarist for Ralph Dinosaur. He was well-respected among local musicians. He also delivered pizzas for Farquart's Pizza Mia, now the Derailed Saloon, for many years.

"Michael was a loving son, brother and uncle," his family wrote. "He was a great listener, a loyal friend, an accomplished musician and an avid animal lover. He will be missed by all who knew him."

Mr. Parnell is survived by his parents, Charles and Mary Parnell, of Durango; sister, Laura Barthol, of Fort Collins; a niece and nephew; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

An open house to share stories will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at Hood Mortuary.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Hesperus Baptist Church, 22972 Colorado Highway 140, about a quarter mile south of U.S. Highway 160. The Rev. Charlie McGee will officiate. After a lunch at the church, burial will take place at 2 p.m. Friday at Memory Gardens, 6917 East Main St. in Farmington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303; Durango Food Bank, 989 South Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303; or Manna Soup Kitchen, 1100 Avenida del Sol, Durango, CO 81301.