Dr. Dan F. Penney

Dr. Dan Foster Penney, 80, of Laneville, passed from this life on January 11, 2016 at his residence. He was born September 1, 1935 in Cushing to the late Bernice and Inez (Johnson) Penney. Dr. Penney lived in La Porte for several years before coming back home and settling in Laneville 10 years ago. He was a professor of Biology for many years and chair of the department at San Jacinto College Central in Pasadena. During his tenure at San Jac, Dan was in charge of the greenhouse and known as the "Dean of the Green." That fit right in with his love of gardening. Dr. Penney was a former member of the Optimist Club which coincided with his passion for educating students. He also loved animals, and in his younger days, did some trapping and learned the trade of taxidermy. Dan loved the East Texas country side. That made his move back to Laneville an easy decision. There at his home, he had foxes that would visit his yard and he made sure to feed them every day which wasn't a problem since he loved to cook. Dan was also a humorous man and loved a good joke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Mildred Richards. Survivors include: son Troy Penney and wife Lynn of Bastrop, daughter Betsy Selby of La Porte, brother Charles Penney and wife Norma of Big Sandy, sister Beth Whitaker and husband Guy of Henderson, grandchildren Shelby Brunson and husband Pat, Louisa Torrance, and Steven Selby, and great-granddaughter Brooke Brunson, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family. The family will receive friends from noon until 6 pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the San Jacinto College Central Campus Biology Department at 8060 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.