Dennis Murl Penney died on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at his home in Simsboro, near Teague, Freestone County, Texas. He was born on June 1, 1948 in Franklin, Robertson County, Texas to Murl Edsel Penney and his wife, Bobbie Rush Penney. Their family moved around a lot when Dennis was a child. He lived in nine different places in Texas, Tennessee and Georgia. He was very close with his sisters as a boy. They played cowboys and Indians and later danced in their living room to American Bandstand. He loved fishing and fixing bicycles for the neighborhood kids.
After attending Pasadena High School, Dennis joined the USMC in 1966. He served in Vietnam, Okinawa, The Philippines and stateside for six years. Following his honorable discharge, Dennis attended TSTI in Waco for drafting and mechanical design. While there, Dennis married Beverly Harringer and they had two children, Dennis Bryan (1971-1989) and Tara Brooke Penney. They lived in Groesbeck, Texas until they divorced in 1977.
In 1978 Dennis married his wife and soulmate of 41 years, Jackye Pendergrass. They shared many common interests such as genealogy, history and traveling to historical sites. Dennis was a true “Renaissance Man.” He read voraciously and taught himself to do any task he desired. He built their beautiful home single handedly. He was an avid gardener, sharing his yield with friends. He enjoyed hunting and target shooting. Dennis never met a stranger. He had many friends from the Big Brown crew, the gun shop, the coffee shop and the neighborhood. He had a quick wit and winning personality. He loved his wife and family, especially doting on granddaughters, Taylor and Livi and great grandson Cass. Dennis was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church of Teague.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Jackye Penney of Simsboro, his daughter, Tara Penney of Fort Stockton, granddaughters, Taylor Davidson (Nate Baldwin) of Tampa, FL, Olivia Contreras of Groesbeck, great grandson, Cassius Baldwin of Tampa, FL, sisters, Beverly Penney (Rick Olvera) of Katy, Cynthia Irwin (Charles) of Columbus, Michelle Abel (Jack) of Waco, brothers, Jon Penney of Columbus, Michael Penney (Kim) of San Angelo, stepmother, Patricia Moore of Axtell, mother in law, Yvonne Pendergrass of Teague, brothers in law, Steve Pendergrass (Karen) of Teague and Dalton Pendergrass of Teague.
Dennis was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Bryan Penney, his parents, Murl Edsel and Bobbie Rush Penney and his father in law, Jack Pendergrass.
His funeral was held on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the First Baptist Church of Teague. Pastors officiating were Bro. Walter Pickens and Bro. Joe Bill Reid. Bowers Funeral Home handled the funeral arrangements. Dennis was buried at the Dew Cemetery. Pallbearers were Columbus Long, Richard Finley, David Crundwell, Ricky Wills, Glen Collins, Jared Smith, Brian Horton and Chris Parker. Honorary Pallbearer was Gerald Horton.
Dennis M. Penney was a good and honorable man. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bowers Funeral Home of Texas, Texas conducted funeral arrangements.
