Robert Graham Penny

Robert Graham Penny, Sr., Lt. Colonel, Ret. U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne, much loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather departed this earth for his Heavenly home on December 10, 2015 at 4:27 p.m. He had lived a long and full 95 years. He is survived by his daughter Cathy Penny Godwin and her husband Jimmy Godwin of Raleigh; grandchildren Melissa Godwin of Raleigh and Joshua Godwin and wife Kenni Seagroves and great grandson Waylon Seagroves Godwin of Colorado. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Evelyn Grace King and his son, Robert Graham Penny, Jr. of New York City.

As a young man, Mr. Penny was a member of the NC 4H Honor Club and a member of the 1942 Livestock Judging Team that won first place at the National Livestock Judging Contest. He was awarded the BS Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1943 By NC State University. Penny served in the US Army in various locations around the states. He also served in Austria, Korea, Fontainebleau, France and Okinawa. As a young officer in 1962, he learned that church membership would not get him into Heaven and he committed his life to Jesus Christ. In his words: “I never dreamed of the amount of joy available to a person when he commits his life to Him. God had His guiding hand in my life from the moment I accepted His son Jesus as my Savior, until the present time and, with His help, I’ll continue to walk with Him as He leads through His precious word.” From that point on, Mr. Penny made God his first commanding officer. Wherever he traveled with the army, he took an active role in church growth and spreading the Gospel. He was an active member in the Gideon’s International. He was influential in the chapel programs in Fontainebleau. On Okinawa, he worked closely with the missionaries from Far East Broadcasting Company and was also involved in the Navigator ministries.

After retiring from the military, Mr. Penny taught at Enloe High School in Raleigh. Following his years teaching, he was the Health Director of Carteret County. He remained active with the Gideon Ministry.

A Celebration of his life will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 7900 Ten-Ten Rd. Raleigh on Wednesday, December 16 at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will held on Tuesday, December 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Gideon’s International or to the Wounded Warrior Project.