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Donald Penwell Obituary
Donald Lee Penwell slipped peacefully into the hereafter at Scottsdale Hospital on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 after a short illness that culminated in pneumonia. He was born in El Reno, Oklahoma on August 13, 1930. He was an accomplished athlete having gained honors playing basketball, starting at Oklahoma City University where his team won the All College tournament while being named Most Valuable Player. Although he was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA, he elected to join Caterpillar Tractor of the National Industrial Basketball League where the competition was better and post-playing career opportunities were greater. His basketball career culminated in winning the World Amateur Championship in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. His business career was centered in the electronic bookkeeping industry where he was co-founder and president of EBS, Inc. and later vice president of sales for ADS, Inc. While he was proud of his athletic and business careers, his enduring legacy is the relationships he fostered with family and friends. He treasured those above all else. Mr. Penwell was predeceased by his parents, Cleva and Clifford Penwell of Oklahoma City, OK. He is survived by his wife Brenda, his brother Bill and sister-in-law Mary Jane Penwell of Greenwich, CT, his children Sharon Penwell of Litchfield Park, AZ, Debora Wilson of Parker, CO, and Stanley Penwell of Scottsdale, AZ, and five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. A celebration of his life is tentatively planned for Saturday, April 21, 2012 at a place yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Arizona Humane Society
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Penwell
Keith and Marti Taylor
June 4, 2012
We only learned of Don's passing today We thought of him often and want to add our condolenses to Brenda and his entire family.
March 20, 2012
With deepest sympathy Helma and I are very sorry for your loss. What a great man Don was. Much love, Yvonne
Priscilla Graffeo
March 17, 2012
To Brenda and Family, We are deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in knowing that Don is in a better place. Don always had a way of entering a room and making you laugh. He had quite the sense of humor that will be missed. The love and respect he and Brenda had for each other was such an inspiration to both of us. They were truly devoted to each other. Don, rest in peace and keep the angels laughing.
Love,
Mike and Priscilla Graffeo
March 16, 2012
I really enjoyed working with Don at CAT and all our contacts afterwards. Will especially miss his wonderfully dry sense of humor.-Ollie Helderle
Mollie Milne
March 16, 2012
Brenda, Dad and I are so very sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my prayers.
Mollie Milne
Richard (Dick) Milne
March 15, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing.
Den and I so enjoyed having you two as
neighbors in La Colina. Don was a fine,
generous and caring man who will be greatly missed. --Marian Cepuran
March 14, 2012
I was deeply saddened to hear of Dons' death. I am sure the Lords' face will radiate with joy when he sees' Don coming. I remember our childhood backyard boxing matches, with both Bill and Don and their father officating-- our overnight backyard campouts-- our pigeon flocks, and much more. Our friendship lasted a lifetime. May the Lord lessen the heart ache of Dons' children and that of Brenda and Bill. --Bob Ahring
March 14, 2012
Brenda and Family,
Our condolences to the Penwell family. Don was a great neighbor when he lived in Villa San Marcos and a good friend.
The Martons
Doug Lee
March 14, 2012
Brenda, Stan and Family.
Sorry for your loss.
While we have not been in touch for many years, a year never went by with out fond thoughts of Don and the years working with him.
Many, many good memories.
Doug/Mary Lou Lee
Nicholas Blevins
March 14, 2012
Our Thoughts and prayers go out to Brenda and the family. Uncle Don was a great man and lived a wonderful life.
Russell & Lisa Howell
March 13, 2012
Our most sincere condolences and sympathy to you and your family, Brenda. May all of your memories and the love and devotion you and Don shared all these years comfort you and bring you peace.
March 13, 2012
I was Don's secretary for a short time at EBS. I was not, never have been, never wanted to be a secretary, but there I was. Don was always very patient with me, never lost his temper, and was a perfect gentleman. I was there to see the love and caring between Don and Brenda. We stayed friends after we all moved on and it was nice to see such a loving, enduring, relationship. Brenda, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jo Legg
Michael Penwell
March 12, 2012
Uncle Don was such a larger than life person in every way that it's hard to imagine the world without him in it. As everyone knows, it's so fitting that he was a Leo: he could growl like a lion; he could roar like a lion; he could make you freeze with nothing more than a look, just like a lion. But what I will remember most about Uncle Don is that he had the heart of a lion--brave, fearless, tough, and unfailingly generous. He leaves a huge hole for all of us who knew him and loved him, most of all Brenda of course. Brenda, I know the wonderful memories of the life you shared with Uncle Don will sustain you through the grief you're feeling now. I look forward to seeing you in a month, giving you a big hug, and maybe hitting a golf ball or two in Uncle Don's honor. From this year on, all the hats will simply read, "Don".
Love, Mike & Melinda
Christina Stanga
March 12, 2012
Sorry for your family's loss. I knew Don as a child and his family helped me during a difficult time in my childhood. God Bless all of you.
Tom Bolin
March 12, 2012
I enjoyed playing with Don at OCU and learned a lot in playing against him in practice. he helped me to learn more about the game. We will be praying for you the family.
ED JOANNE SOLOMON
March 12, 2012
Dear Brenda and family. You all know the saddness we feel for your loss of Don. A big hole exists where our friend once stood. Yet we are THANKFUL for the years of joy knowing him, you and the family. That lasts forever as does Don's peace he enjoys in God's hands. BLESS YOU.
Sheila Moravec
March 12, 2012
I am so saddened to hear of Don's passing. The short time I knew Don, it was very evident of his total devotion to Brenda and I realize that his loss will leave a big void in the life of Brenda and their entire family. I pray for peace and solace as they all grieve together. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to them all.
Linda Marks
March 12, 2012
Although I lost touch with Don over the years I remember him as a vibrant, larger than life person who took a chance on hiring me 32 years ago, thus beginning my career with EBS and then NDS for some 30 years.
May all of the warm and wonderful memories of him surround and lift you at this sad time.
Mike Penwell
March 12, 2012
I've known Don since my childhood, he and my father were 1st cousin and good friends. I will miss all the laughter & stories that he would shared with me. We are praying for Brenda and family knowing the vacancy that Don's passing will create.
Love,
Mike & Paddy Penwell
Debbi Zweiback
March 11, 2012
To Brenda and family please know your loss is shared by Speedy and me. As neighbors we enjoyed a friendship that allowed us to share family stories, opinions on world events, sports, personal histories, food, keys, plants, laughter and now great sadness. Don's love of Brenda and family, was so evident. Brenda and Don were so devoted to each other. Such a loss. We are so glad we had the years we had to get to know Don. We will watch over Brenda. May Don rest in peace.
Love, Debbi & Speedy
March 11, 2012
We will never forget the laughter, the humor, and the kindness that Don brought into our lives. The support he showed to Brenda in her professional life has been such a blessing to the Schuster Center. We will miss him, but, we remember with smiles and tears and trust God's plan through it all. May Brenda and his family know the comfort and peace that only God can give in times of sorrow. Love, Michael and Patti Schuster
March 11, 2012
We were sadden to hear of Don's passing. Though we have not enjoyed his company for awhile, the e-mails were welcome. May God keep you in his loving arms & help you through your time of grief. Ron & Evelyn Miczek
March 11, 2012
May God keep Don, Brenda and family in his loving arms. His grace and mercy will heal pain and sorrow.
Bruce & Shelia Ryan
My dogs barked feverishly at my nephew and my father said to him "Here, let me show you how it is done". Such is the way he led his life.
Sharon Penwell
March 11, 2012
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