Henry Dick Pennell

Lenoir, NC- Mr. Henry Dick Pennell, age 81, of Lenoir, passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson. Born January 9, 1931 in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Henry Clay and Myrtle Dick Pennell. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his Paternal Grandparents, Marcus Mack and Maude Bradley Pennell and Maternal Grandparents, Robert Lacy Dick, Sr. and Daisy Lentz Dick and sister, Wilma Smith. Mr. Pennell was owner/operator of H. Dick Pennell Grading Company. Dick was a member of Lower Creek Baptist Church for 60 plus years where he had served as a deacon, trustee, and taught Sunday school for many years and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Caldwell Men’s Chorus. He had been a member of the Lower Creek Lions Club where he had served as president and had served on the District Governor’s Cabinet. Mr. Pennell was a U.S. Army veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. Although he did not serve overseas, Dick was stationed at West Point, having a ball hauling the Cadets and their girlfriends, separately to the West Point dances. He also had the job of hauling the Army mule to the Army-Navy Games. Dick loved grouse hunting, collecting baseball cards and antique clocks. Many people knew him as “Coach” from his coaching of Senior League Baseball. He also served on the Little League Cabinet. Dick was a great fan of Carolina Basketball and the New York Yankees. Dear friends made it possible for Dick to attend basketball games at Chapel Hill which was a highlight for him. He also attended several New York Yankees baseball games with his son, Phil. He is survived by his wife, Jan Huntley Pennell and they would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary on June 20 of this year. He is also survived by his son, Phillip “Phil” Pennell and wife Cindy of Stamford, CT; 3 Grandchildren, Phillip T. Pennell, Josh Brown and wife Grae; Kelly Jean Brown and one great-grandchild, Bennett Brown 2 brothers, Lee Pennell and wife Debbie of Lenoir; Henry Clay Pennell and wife Casey of Garland, TX. He is also survived by three nieces, Jennifer Mansfield and husband Scott and Amanda & Caitlin Pennell and several cousins. A celebration of Mr. Pennell’s life will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, June 3, 2012 at Lower Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Don Ingle and Reverend Todd Braswell officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Richard Hunt Hedrick, Wesley Hedrick, Stephen Hedrick, Jeff Greene, Mike Willis and Tom Bush. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Clinton Walsh, Patrick Barlow, Mitch Young, Keith Oxford, Mark West, Will Kamstra, John Kamstra, Felix Hart, David Stevens and members of Dick’s Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 5 until 7 PM at Evans Funeral Service. The family respectfully requests memorials be made to: Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Helping Hands 810 Harper Avenue, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Shelter Home of Caldwell County, PO Box 426, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Pennell Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Pennell Family. PDF Printable Version