Jones “Penny” Penwell, age 92, of Mt. Vernon, Mo., formerly Rockaway Beach, Mo., passed away at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 1, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon.
He was born Dec. 19, 1921, in Crisp, Texas, the son of the late Clark Moses and Lucille (Jones) Penwell. He grew up in the Dust Bowl era and remembered it well.
Penwell was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in WWII. He served on the USS Oklahoma as a gunner when the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Rescued by the Marines, he bravely continued fighting (for a time with the Marines) before being honorably discharged by the Navy in June 1944. After his military service, Penwell furthered his education, obtaining a degree in animal husbandry and engineering. He maintained a ranch in Pagosa Springs for many years and worked as an appraiser for the Bureau of Land Management.
He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his three daughters, Dale Triplett, of Hesperus; Laurel Penwell, of Chromo; and Tracy Penwell, of Phoenix; daughter-in-law Vicki Penwell, formerly of Gakona, Alaska; stepson John Jones and his wife, Jakki Okean; and son Connor, of Nixa, Mo.; four grandchildren, Travis Tapp, Tara, Lacey and Dawn Triplett; two great-grandchildren, Troy and Jarryn Bodine; and several nieces and nephews.
His wife, Almeda J. (Schallner) Penwell; son Alan Lee Penwell; brother Randall Penwell; sister Lorena Lamb; and son-in-law Troy Triplett preceded him in death.
Mr. Penwell will be laid to rest at the Broomfield Cemetery in Seiling, Okla., beside his wife.
Local arrangements have been conducted by the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.
