Dr. Larry Howard Penley

Dr. Larry Howard Penley, 91 passed away Friday, October 11, 2013 at Catawba Regional Hospice. Born January 13, 1922 in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late Charles W. and Laura Raby Penley. Larry and Mildred moved to Hickory in 1965 after brief stays in Boone, Wingate, Shelby, Rutherfordton and Louisville, KY. Dr. Penley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lenoir Rhyne College, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts degree from Appalachian State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Lutheran Rice Seminary. Dr. Penley has served as a Baptist minister of three churches, as an educator with Wingate College, Appalachian State College, and Catawba Valley Technical Institute. He has worked as a real estate broker and a building contractor. His hobbies included remodeling older houses, writing, either as a journalist or as the author of several books. He was always happy, when asked, he was always "fine." He never met a stranger and was blessed with inner peace. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Mildred Winkler Penley; 1 son, John Michael Penley; 8 brothers and 1 sister. Dr. Penley is survived by two sons: Rick Penley and wife Kim, and Tim Penley, all of Hickory; 5 grandsons: Lt. Brad Penley of Monterey, CA, Ltjg. Micah Penley of Corpus Christi, TX, 2nd Lt. Craig Penley of Fayetteville, NC, John Michael Penley, Jr. of Asheville, NC, PFC Jordan M Penley of Fort Campbell, KY. The funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Mt. Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Loftis. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 at the church, prior to the service. Burial will be at 11:00AM on Monday, October 14, 2013 in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Mt. Grove Baptist Church, 6156 Mountain Grove Road, Hickory, NC 28602; or Catawba Valley Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Larry Howard Penley.