George Lonnie Penman Jr.

He was born November 16, 1939 in Auburn, California, but his family moved to Ray, Arizona when George was 2 years old. He enjoyed being a “free-range kid” roaming the neighborhood, playing football and baseball in the street, hiking the mountains and desert around Ray. He enjoyed going to movies and being involved with Boy Scouts. One of his fondest memories was attending the Boy Scout Jamboree in

Balboa, California.

George enjoyed playing football, baseball, and basketball in high school. He earned a football scholarship to Eastern Arizona Junior College and also played baseball while there. After graduating EA he attended ASU where he earned a BA in education and later an MA in counseling. George taught fourth grade for several years and then became a counselor at Gilliland Middle School. He retired from Tempe Elementary School District after 34 years. He enjoyed his students and often reminisced about them

with other teachers.

George enjoyed playing golf with some of those cronies from school. When his wife started playing with her friends, George and she started making golf a big part of their vacation plans. One year their son, John, and daughter, Beth, joined them for a golf vacation to Hawaii. Another activity that George and Linda enjoyed together was decorating gourds. Later he developed an interest in woodworking and created beautiful mesquite crosses with turquoise inlace, trinket boxes, clocks, and letter

openers.

George and Linda enjoyed being parents. He and John had good times in Indian Guides and Boy Scout activities. He and Beth enjoyed their times in Indian Princesses. Beth also remembers her dad teaching her to fish. Everyone in the family loves animals and there have been many wonderful dogs and cats in their lives. The grandchildren soon were pet lovers too. George’s and Linda’s dogs adore the grandchildren and the feeling is reciprocated. Of course Grandpa had to tease them occasionally. Three year old Tori once told a stranger, “That’s my Grandpa. He’s silly.” He also enjoyed sharing his favorite places by taking the grandchildren to the zoo and the botanical garden. When Luke was old enough, Grandpa and he built a bench together. And Kensy and Grandpa enjoyed giving the other

person the Old Maid card.

Church was always an important part of George’s life. His faith and theology shaped his relationships and his life. In lieu of flowers, George’s family suggests contributions to UMOM Day Care Center, 3333 E. Van

Buren St., Phoenix 85008 or Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue, 5350 W Bell Road St. C122-158, Glendale, AZ 85308.

A Memorial Service for George Penman will be Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2540 W Baseline Road, Mesa, AZ 85202.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Penman family.