Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 30, 2005
Brian D. McCarthy, ProfitSystems president
Colorado Springs, Colo. — Brian D. McCarthy, president of furniture retail software supplier ProfitSystems, has died. He was 62.
McCarthy joined ProfitSystems in 1990. Chairman Larry Stark said he was "a vital part of our company almost from its very inception."
The company has established a Web site in his memory, http://brian-mccarthy.memory-of.com.
A farewell service was held last week, with a memorial service planned in the spring.
Memorials may be made in McCarthy's name to The Assn. of Graduates, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80840. He was a lifetime member and supporter of the association's scholarship fund.
A New York native, McCarthy attended the Air Force Academy, graduated from Fairfield University in Connecticut and received an MBA degree from the Columbia School of Business.
He is survived by his father, sister, nephew, numerous cousins and close friend Sonja Fielder.
Larry Parnell, retired Oakwood president
Fort Scott, Kan. — Larry Parnell, former president of case goods manufacturer Oakwood Interiors and of the California Furniture Manufacturers Assn., died here after a long battle with cancer.
"Larry had battled cancer for the last five years and had exceeded the doctor's predictions by almost three years," said Walter Huhn, vice president of sales administration at Ontario, Calif.-based Oakwood Interiors. He said Parnell had mentored him for years before retiring in 2003.
"He was a pillar in the furniture industry and will be missed by many," Huhn said.
After retiring and selling his stake in Oakwood, Parnell moved back to his home state of Kansas with his wife, Judy.
"Larry was a true professional and champion of the furniture industry," said Kelly Ramirez, CFMA executive director. "The programs and events he developed for the CFMA were instrumental in CFMA's growth. His commitment to the industry was outstanding and very personal. Judy and his family are in our hearts and prayers."
In 1982, 22-year-old Nick Lanphier founded Oakwood Interiors. Parnell joined him 10 months later as a partner and became president. Parnell served as vice president of the CFMA in 1997–98 and was president from 1998 to 2002, even while battling cancer.
Besides his wife, survivors include four children, four grandchildren and a sister-in-law.
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Former Oakwood exec Larry Parnell dies
Jan 28, 2005 -
McCarthy of ProfitSystems dies at 62
Jan 27, 2005
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