Obituary of John Penny

John Curtis Penny was born to Estella Myrtle (Nesmith) Penny and Orin Painter Penny on April 8, 1922, across the street from where he resided until his death. He was the older brother of Gene, who died in 1998, and Eileen Penny Hegg, who lives in Denver. John learned the value of honesty, plain dealing, and perseverance at an early age, helping his father at the family mortuary, farm, and hardware store. He loved his studies, had a great aptitude for math and science, and excelled in school. John loved photography his entire life and spent countless hours in his darkroom. After graduating from Burlington High School in 1940 he boarded the Greyhound bus to Boonville, Missouri, where he enrolled in Kemper Military School. It was at Kemper that he met the love of his life, Catherine Deane Bornhauser, a 16 year old Missouri farm girl. World War II was raging upon his graduation from Kemper – 82 of his class of 150 lost their lives serving their country. He then enrolled in a Navy program at the University of Colorado, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1943. John and Deane were married in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on May 17, 1943. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School, John spent 15 months on a Naval Landing Craft Infantry (LCI/R) in the South Pacific theater. While he was overseas, his oldest child, Cathie, was born in 1945. After the war, John and Deane settled in Burlington where he ran the International Harvester dealership and Penny Brothers Hardware Store. He also farmed with his brother, Gene. Daughter Ann was born in 1948 and son Curt in 1951. In 1957, at the age of 35, John moved his family to Boulder where he began his legal studies. John was the oldest person in his class and graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1960. He immediately moved his family back to Burlington where he opened his own law practice. He was proudly a “country lawyer.â€? His love of the law allowed him to be of service to the people of the community in which he lived. John enjoyed recreation activities with his children and grandchildren. He hunted and fished at Bonny Dam, where he also spent countless hours driving the boat pulling kids on water skis. He traveled and explored the world with Deane. In the 1970s John developed an interest in computers. He continued to challenge himself with new technology, and taught himself how to program his own computer. In 1977, Curt and his father partnered as the law firm of Penny & Penny. John was always active and involved in his community and was diligent in his efforts to make Burlington a better place to live. He was sensitive to the struggles of others and helped many without the need for public recognition. He is survived by his loving family, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He lived his life and departed this world on May 16, 2006, as a very private, courageous, and wise man. Memorial Services for Mr. Penny were held on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Burlington with Pastor Ralph Datema officiating. Inurnment followed in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. There was no visitation. Memorials may be made to the William Hogate VFW Post 6491 and may be left at the Bank of Burlington, Burlington, CO.