Grover Cleveland Parnell's Obituary
Grover Cleveland Parnell, age 81, passed from this life on January 20, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born on October 19, 1944, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to Levi Parnell and Helen (Keys) Parnell.
After graduating from Central High School, class of 1963, Grover was drafted into the United States Army, where he served his country in Germany with honor and pride — a chapter he remained deeply proud of throughout his life. As a Cherokee citizen, he was recognized with a Cherokee Nation Medal of Patriotism, an honor he was very proud of. In his later years, he traveled to Washington, D.C., on the Oklahoma Honor Flight, joining fellow veterans in visiting the memorials dedicated to their service.
Grover married his beautiful wife, Marilyn (Chase) Parnell, on October 30th, 1976, and together they built a beautiful legacy rooted in devotion, laughter, and unwavering family bonds. Their life together was filled with love, the joy of raising a family they cherished deeply, and adventures around every corner.
A man of many interests, Grover enjoyed cheering on the OU Sooners and listening to the timeless music of Elvis Presley. You would always find great country classics blasting out of his truck, with him singing along, sometimes with the right words, and sometimes his own! Yet, nothing brought him greater joy than time spent with his grandchildren. He adored them wholeheartedly, and his presence at their events was a constant—his pride in them unmistakable. Birthday party - he was there. Sporting event – he wouldn’t miss it! Even the Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties at school, you’d see him embarrassing one of the grandkids. He didn’t know a stranger and would talk to anyone who would listen. To his family, he would do anything he could, not without a few complaints, but he would always come through, somehow.
Grover’s unique personality, quick wit, and warm spirit made him a light in the lives of many. If you met him once, you would remember him the next time and would do his best to crack a joke and make you laugh. His ability to make others smile, his deep loyalty, and his love for those around him will be remembered always. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, devotion, and family values that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but his memory will remain a blessing to those fortunate enough to have shared in his life.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Marilyn Parnell; children: Darrell Masingale, Tommy Masingale, Elizabeth (Susie) Parnell, Tammy Browne (Masingale), and James (Jimmy) Parnell; Grandchildren: Tyler Masingale, Jessica Harvey, Morgan Gabel(Masingale), Trevor Masingale, Blake Masingale, Stephanie (Stevie) Masingale, Talan Parnell, Ayden Parnell, and Kannon Parnell; Great Grandchildren: Bentley, Brenna, Benjamin (Benji), Remington, Gage, Holland and Shepherd; along with several step-grandkids, Brother: Benny Parnell (wife, Gail) and numerous other family members and friends.
A celebration of Grover’s life will take place on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, from 2pm – 4pm at Floral Haven’s Family Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
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