Obituary

John Gentry Penney was born in Chewelah, Washington on February 26, 1942. He was the youngest of six siblings including Madelyn, Jacqueline, Patricia, James and Gloria. Parents Bonta Gentry and Lillian Pearl (Wardell) Penney moved the family from Addy, Washington to the Spokane Valley where they raised John and his siblings.

John, age 76, passed away at home in Bow, Washington on April 7, 2018 after a year and a half of challenges with cancer. He was a loving family man and admired by all who knew him.

John and his high school sweetheart, Carol (Furness) Penney married on September 15, 1963. They met in kindergarten and attended schools together in the Spokane Valley. They enjoyed 54 1/2 years together full of love and adventures. Daughters Heather (Penney) Steele of Bellingham and Megan Penney of Maple Falls, and grandsons Zachary and Riley Steele were the pride and joy of his life.

He was a star basketball player at Central Valley High in Spokane and played two years at the University of Idaho. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964 and worked as a forester for the Department of Natural Resources in Omak and Olympia. He helped develop the Timber, Fish and Wildlife Regulations while employed for the State Department of Revenue. John retired in 2004 after thirty successful, productive years as Property Tax Manager for Simpson Timber Company in Seattle. During that time, he served on numerous committees and worked with legislators and assessors for forest practices in Washington, Oregon, and California.

John and his loving family lived in Issaquah for thirty years where he was an active member in the community as a supporter of city development, public school activities and Camp Fire. For many years he was a classroom mentor for Junior Achievement, Project Business and Arbor Day. His support of youth and education continued in Bellingham with Robotics and STEM.

John was an admirable and confident strong leader, organizer and planner with sound judgement, wit and intelligence. He was a platoon leader in the U.S. Army National Guard as Second Lieutenant and later served as president of his class in the Agriculture/Forestry Leadership Program.

John was adventurous and curious. He and Carol traveled extensively. His favorite challenging experience was rafting through the Grand Canyon with family. He was happy being in the outdoors camping, hiking, gardening, chopping wood or driving his tractor with his buddy Patch dog by his side. He enjoyed the majesty of Europe and the wonders of nature. He was skilled at creating projects in his shop and building decks, benches, planters, and a greenhouse. “Mr. Fix-It” was his moniker. He was an avid reader interested in current events, history, and trivia. The Civil War was a focus.

Family was paramount to John. He was a tender, thoughtful and sentimental true gentleman. Generosity, honesty, integrity, and his easy-going personality were a few of his traits. He always saw good in a person and encouraged working for success. He had a magnetic personality and a “can do” attitude. Friends became like family. He was a positive influence loved and admired by many.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandsons, sister Gloria (Penney) Wash and her husband Charles, sisters-in-law Susan (Furness) Wood and JoAnn Penney, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life – Soar High with the Eagles

1:00 pm – Saturday, May 12, 2018

5399 Island View Way

Bow, Washington 98232

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to:

American Cancer Society

American Heart Association

Skagit County Humane Society