John Wallace Harrell

John Wallace Harrell, age 78, passed away at Stamford Memorial Hospital on Saturday, September 29, 2012, after a lengthy illness.

John was born May 16, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, to the late George William and Minnie Payne Harrell. He graduated from Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas in 1952. He attended Trinity Valley College in Athens, Texas and McMurry College in Abilene, Texas on football scholarships.

In 1955 John married Norma Lynn Parkhill. John and Norma moved to Dallas, Texas and he began working for Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. In 1965 John and Norma moved to Stamford and he began his career in banking with Stamford Federal Savings and Loan which later became Commodore Savings and Loan. John was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

John was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church where he served on the church board; he and Norma served as youth directors of MYF for several years. This was a very happy time for John and Norma. He was very involved in the community and served as president of the Stamford School Board, Rotary Club, and Chamber of Commerce.

John’s memories will be lovingly cherished by his wife of 57 years, Norma; son Stephen and wife Kim Harrell, grandson Tyler and granddaughter Holly of Abilene; son Bill and wife Pattie Harrell, grandsons Garrett and Cayse and granddaughter Haleigh Harrell of Flower Mound; daughter Parris and husband Andy Reine, grandson Parker of DeSoto;
one brother Robert Harrell and wife JoAnn of Irving; nieces Cynthia Moldenhauer and husband Lee, and daughters Brianne and Lisa Phelps of Colorado and a nephew Robert Harrell, Jr. of Irving; and many precious loyal friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant granddaughter Catherine Leigh Harrell.

The celebration service of John’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 5, at Saint John’s United Methodist in Stamford, TX with the Rev. John Erwin officiating, under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home. Burial will follow at a later date at Kaufman Cemetery, Kaufman, TX under the direction of Parker Ashworth Funeral Home.

Memorials in his honor may be sent to the American Diabetic Association, St. John’s United Methodist Church in Stamford, Texas or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be viewed at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com