Justin Parcell remembered after drowning incident
by: Jesse Pierre KNWTV24 Fayetteville, AR
Posted: May 20, 2020
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, (KNWA/KFTA) — Communities mourning
the life of a Northwest Arkansas man who drowned in a kayaking incident over
the weekend. Justin Parcell graduated from Prairie Grove high school back in
2003. His friends tell me Justin was an avid biker, kayaker and loved sports
and he will be missed by his community.
Parcell was out kayaking with friends Sunday, May 17,
when his kayak flipped over at Kings River. Sergeant Lola Mitchell with the
Madison County Sheriff’s Office said they received a call at about 5:30 p.m.
saying Parcell was pinned under some logs. Two people were able to get to his
body and do CPR but Parcell was not responsive.
Parcell was well known in the Springdale community as a
cyclist and was a manager at the Phat Tire Bike Shop.His friends said he lived
his life to the fullest and its hard not to smile when they think of him. “He
was always in a good mood he was really carefree. he was fun to be around and
I’m not the only person who can say this about him, I think a lot of people are
going to have the same story,” said Max Washausen.
Phat Tire Bike shop shared this on social media saying in
part: “There is a giant hole in the heart of NWA cycling today. Justin Parcell
has been our Springdale Service Manager since 2018, and a bright light to all
who worked rode or shopped with him. Justin passed away in a kayaking accident
on Sunday. He was an avid floater and was doing what he loved. The Springdale
community and shop are devastated. His loss will be felt far and wide. There
are many hearts hurting right now.”
Springdale man dies In kayaking accident in Madison
County
Justin Parcell who was an avid outdoorsmen died in a
kayaking accident
while on Kings River (AR)
Author: Kathryn Gilker
May 18, 2020
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Justin Parcell, who was an avid
outdoorsman, died in a kayaking accident while on Kings River Sunday, May 17.
"Our hearts are very heavy today losing him,"
Bret McCormick said. Bret McCormick met Parcell though the Springdale Bike
Club, where they would often ride together. He says Parcell was the heart of
the cycling community in Northwest Arkansas.
"He was always the type that was never happier than
when someone was trying to grab his wheel and hang on. Such a fierce
competitor, but yet I saw him stop on more than one occasion to help a kid fix
their bike and get them back on their way," he said.
Parcell worked at Phat Tire Bike Shop in Springdale. Zo Perko also became friends with Parcell through their
shared love of cycling. He says he was a very passionate, authentic, and caring
person. "Justin was there to help at any time. Everybody has
a story about how they were rescued by Justin. He's just a resourceful person,
and he'd always figure it out," Perko said.
McCormick says Parcell loved sharing what he knew about
the geography and the sports here that he enjoyed. "It puts things in perspective for all of us in this
day and age, and all the fear we're living with, is that Justin didn't go out
in fear, he went out doing what he loved," McCormick said..
