Stanley Penny Obituary

Rest in peace, Stanley D. Penny (1927-2017) – Stan was born on June 1, 1927 to Myrl Nuzum Penny and Addie Underwood Penny in Lawrence, KS. He passed away on May 13, 2017 at the Baldwin Healthcare & Rehab Center in Baldwin City, KS.

"I've been all around the world and in certain parts of Kansas" was one of his favorite sayings.

Stanley grew up in Lawrence and was proud to say that he attended the first class of the new Pinckney grade school, as well as Lawrence Junior High, Liberty Memorial High School and the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC Scholarship. He was in the first Navy ROTC Scholarship class in KU history. Receiving a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1950, he was also active in Football, Baseball and Track.

Stan served his country during WWII and the Korean War. One year was spent from 1945 - 1946 in the Merchant Marines in the North Atlantic, returning German POWs and bringing back American POWs and war brides. He then served 1950 – 1953 as a Navy deck officer on aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea and one year on the ammunition ship USS Diamond Head, obtaining top secret clearance and then on to the Naval Reserves. Upon return from the military, Stanley entered the Ready Mixed Concrete and construction business with his father and brothers paving the streets and sidewalks of Lawrence. Stanley eventually took over the business, Penny's Ready Mix, as owner and manager and expanded the business throughout the state of Kansas creating portable and permanent concrete plants.

Stan was very active in the Lawrence community and held many leadership roles in the First Christian Church, Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Bible Chair (KU School of Religion), Sertoma Club, and Fork and Knife Club.

Stan was a fun-loving Jayhawks and Chiefs fan with a heart of gold. He was always willing to help people. He loved festivities, BBQ, and tinkering with his old vehicles.

He is survived by his brothers Charles Penny and his wife Lila of Phoenix AZ, and Paul Penny and his wife Virginia of Lawrence KS, sisters Margaret Bruce of Wichita KS, and Lois Cowen of Tulsa, OK, former wife Theo Penny of Lawrence KS, son Dean Penny and his wife Sheri of Lawrence and their children Michael of Manhattan KS and Kristin of Leawood KS, daughter Kirsten "Missy" Allen and her husband Jeff of Lawrence, KS and their children Nicholas of Ann Arbor, MI and Christopher of Leeds England, stepson Troy Parmely of Chapman, KS and friend Melline Stewart.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Junius, and former wife Shari Reed Sheaffer,

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dwight G Rickman Naval Scholarship Fund c/o Warren McElwain Mortuary.

A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the VFW, 1801 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Online condolences may be posted at warrenmcelwain.com.