Calvin B. Parnell, Jr., 85, of College Station, Texas passed on to be with his Lord and Savior on October 1, 2026, at the Isle of Watercrest peacefully sleeping.

Calvin was the first of three children born to Calvin and Doris Parnell on April 3, 1941, in Hatch, New Mexico.

He attended Gadsden High School in Anthony, NM. Calvin met his future wife, Peggy, in the 12th grade when he was playing basketball and she was a cheerleader on the sidelines. They were married on December 21, 1963 after Calvin graduated from New Mexico State University with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering. While at New Mexico State University, Calvin was the Corp Commander and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC upon graduation. He was then employed at the USDA Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory to strengthen his foundation in preparation for his graduate studies.

Calvin attended Clemson University in South Carolina on a fellowship from the National Cotton Council, where he received an M.S. and PhD in Agricultural Engineering. Calvin was called to active duty and completed his PhD while serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Ohio River Division Laboratory in construction engineering research. He ended his active-duty obligations in the Army in 1970 and received his PhD in Environmental Systems Engineering. He then accepted a job with the USDA South Plains Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory in Lubbock until 1973.

In 1974, Calvin accepted a position with Texas A&M University’s Texas Agricultural Extension Service as a cotton ginning specialist where he developed educational programs for cotton producers, farmers, and ginners.

With Calvin’s extensive knowledge of the cotton industry, he was asked to become a teaching and research faculty member with the Agricultural Engineering Department in 1978. During Calvin’s tenue in the department, he held the title of Director of the Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science as well as the holder of the Endowed Cotton Engineering, Ginning, and Mechanization Chair. During this time, he also led the development of the 1D3D cyclone, which is used extensively as best available control technology to reduce dust emissions from industrial and agricultural facilities.

He was appointed by the Texas Governor to serve on the Texas Air Control Board from 1990-1994, as well as being appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Task Force on Air Quality from 1997-2006. He is also the co-owner of two patents relating to biomass thermochemical conversion systems. Calvin was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus and Regents Professor.

While Calvin was busy with his professional obligations, he also coached the baseball, football, and basketball teams his son played on. Calvin was president of the congregation at Our Saviours Lutheran church twice and was on church council many times. Calvin also loved teaching Sunday School to high schoolers.

Calvin is survived by his wife, Peggy Parnell; his children and grandchildren Chris, Laura, Michael (25), Daniel (23) Parnell and John, Sarah, Matt (24), and Megan (21) Molloy; Calvin’s sister, Kaye Dean, and brother, Lynn Parnell, plus nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be made in leu of flowers Burton Cotton Gin, 307 North Main Street, Burton, TX 77835; or to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in College Station, 1001 Woodcreek Dr., College Station, Texas 77845.

A reception will be held in his honor at Pebble Creek Country Club on October 22, 2026 at 5:00-9:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on October 23, 2026 at 11:00 am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in College Station. The visitation will begin at 10:00 am at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in College Station.

The family wants to thank Amadita Martinez and Casey Carrias and the staff at the Isle of Watercress and Hospice for their care and compassion in his final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Parnell family.