Robert "Bob" W. Penick

Robert “Bob” Wade Penick, age 88, of Perkins, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
Bob was born June 27, 1931 in Wichita Falls, Texas to William Wade and Mary Jane (Kelsey) Penick. Bob grew up in Wichita Falls, TX, graduating from Wichita High School in 1950. He then attended Abilene Christian College where he ran track and played on the undefeated 1950 Wildcat football team. The team enjoyed singing everywhere they went and was just as well known for its singing as it was for playing football. They once sang “When the Roll Is Called up Yonder” and other hymns on an hour long radio program. While at A.C.C. Bob met and married his beloved wife, Barbara Jean Lyon.
Although Bob would not carry a gun, he served as a Sargent in the U. S. Army, serving as a medic and as a Communications Man. While in the service, Bob received the National Defense Service medal and the Good Conduct medal.
Before joining the military, Bob worked as a cotton grader for Anderson Clayton Co. in Abilene, TX, which he said was one of his favorite jobs. Bob enjoyed working for several years as a barber in Austin, TX. While working as a barber, Bob earned a BSEd from the University of Texas.
Bob was a favorite junior high and high school history teacher and coach. He called his history classes “A Course in Better Living.” Bob enjoyed coaching junior high football and track before giving that up to have more time to spend with his wife and little daughter. When he retired in 1993, an article was written about him in the school newspaper titled “Last of a Vanishing Breed.” After retiring Bob wrote a book about his teaching experiences and observations called We Be Teachers (A View from the Classroom).
Bob was very interested in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people. He taught Bible classes and served as a deacon and as chairman of the mission committee at Brentwood Church of Christ in Austin, TX. During that time, Bob traveled to Guatemala where he worked with the mission team there. Bob was involved in prison ministry in Austin, TX, and up until his death continued to correspond with World Bible School students in prison. Bob worked with World Bible School overseeing the Action Newspaper mailing and serving as a teacher for over 40 years.
Bob started a Christian singing group called the Sweet Expressions and sang with them for 20 years. He wrote and performed several puppet skits with Bible messages. Bob was a beloved member of the Perkins Church of Christ, where he was known for his friendly smile and great hugs.
Bob was a great fisherman and even taught a fishing course at the Austin Community College. Bob rode his Rover, a recumbent bike, all around Perkins and enjoyed very much meeting and visiting with people around town that way. Bob enjoyed writing the Love Line column for the Perkins Journal for almost 14 years, striving to share interesting and inspirational stories with his readers. His first column titled “Donnie” was published in the Journal on March 2, 2006.
Next to pleasing the Lord, Bob’s number one priority in life was his family. He spent his life being a loving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather. Bob, Barbara, and Penny enjoyed many happy hours fishing, playing games, and taking trips together. Bob very much enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing, and singing hymns and playing games with them. He created his own noncompetitive board game called “We Win”. Bob always had plenty of Blue Bell ice cream to serve, every time his kids or grandkids came over. Bob wrote songs about his grandchildren when they were born and wrote special poems for his sweet wife Barbara, children, and grandchildren.
Bob loved his niece Sherri and his sister-in-law Phyllis and her family. He had many dear friends including close life long friends Jim and Marcia Hilsebeck of Austin, TX, and Rayford and Avalee Walker of Austin, TX.
Bob is greatly loved and will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Penick of the home; daughter, Penny Wall and husband Robert of Perkins, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Charles Ethan Wall and wife Deidre Ann, Tammy Imogene Wall, Joseph Anthony Wall, Robert Nehemiah Wall, Noah Wade Wall, Beulah Jane Wall, Amos Eldon Wall, Lazarus Penick Wall, Rosaline Elizabeth Wall, and Eric Malachi Wall, and great-grandson, Myles Patrick Wall all of Perkins. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Mary Penick and daughter, Penny Rene.
Funeral services were entrusted to the care of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater. A memorial service was held Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm. Mr. David Tallman and Mr. Jerry Wilson officiated. Pallbearers were grandsons Charles Ethan Wall, Joseph Anthony Wall, Robert Nehemiah Wall, Noah Wade Wall, Amos Eldon Wall, and Lazarus Penick Wall.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to friends, neighbors, and to their church family for the many kindnesses that have been shown to them at this time and for the many prayers that have been offered to God on their behalf. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Church of Christ Disaster Relief Fund, c/o Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK, 74055.
Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.dightonmarler.com