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Michael Stephen Parnell, 44, of Conway, died Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at Conway Medical Center. Born in Dover, Delaware, he was the fifth, and youngest, child of William F. Bill and Catherine T. Kay Parnell. Undeniably garrulous, outgoing, and extremely creative in his youth, Michael, known simply as "Quest" to his close friends, was naturally, albeit somewhat serendipitously, drawn to a career in radio & communications. Despite his humble beginnings as an intern, simply filling in for a sick friend one day, he quickly worked his way up the proverbial food-chain, gaining so much popularity with his afternoon and evening audiences as to eventually become the host of several ingenious morning shows of his own intriguingly off-beat conception. Over the years, as his career advanced, he was soon named the Operations Manager and Program Director of several differently formatted, but all notably successful, FM radio stations along the Grand Strand, and he also garnered a mantle of awards for his creative efforts in the field of advertising. Perhaps it is only fitting that, as one "Quest" all-too abruptly ended, another quest immediately began -- but one that will last for all eternity, and who's path will lead only to God's boundless love, profound joy, and everlasting peace. Michael was pre-deceased by his sister, Cynthia M. Cindy Parnell; he is currently survived by Monica Parnell, the mother of his two beautiful children, Chandler Rane Parnell, 14, and Garrett Zane Parnell, 7; his parents, Bill and Kay Parnell; two sisters, Sharyn A. Clardy and Theresa L. Teri Young, all of Conway, SC; his one elder brother, William C. Billy Parnell, of Niceville, Florida; a great many nieces and nephews, and a multitude of close, personal, and lifelong friends, who have come together and will help one another endure this grievous and untimely loss together. Michael was an extremely passionate man. He treasured good music, good friends, and good times. Above all, though, he cherished his family. He loved those close to him wholly and completely. Throughout his entire life, and especially over these past few days, people have spoken repeatedly of Michael's inherent "selfless nature" -- this innate and uncanny ability he possessed which allowed him to give of himself so freely and openly. People have said very nice things, like; "He'd give you the shirt off his back." Or, "He had the biggest heart of anyone I ever knew." But the truth? Well, what you've just read doesn't even come close to it. Because the truth is, this wasn't simply a man who maybe had an extra button-down Polo to lend you the day you forgot to pick up your dry cleaning; nor was he just a "really nice guy," with a slightly larger-than-normal aorta. No. This was a man who, if you were stuck with him at the South Pole, during winter, in a blizzard, he would rip the Gore-Tex snowsuit from off his own torso, wrap you in it, and stand in front of you to block the ice-laden, gale-force wind with his own body, just to make sure that you weren't feeling "a little chilly." And if you knew him, then you will know this is hardly an exaggeration at all. It's just the kind of man he was. The very, very best kind. Life can be hard, oftentimes -- almost unbearable, for some. And sometimes the universe can appear to be cruel, taking a seemingly endless toll on one's will to fight, to dream -- even to live. But Michael never gave up on his family -- not once, in his entire life. His family and friends, in-kind, never gave up on him, either. They will always keep him in their thoughts, their prayers – and their hearts -- forever. A very wise man, Ernest Hemingway, once wrote, "The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for." And he was right... especially about the second part. Services will be held at 3 PM on Friday, February 1, 2008 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel, with the Reverend Jerry Howell of