George Harry Pennell

George Harry Pennell, 91, lovingly known as ‘Pop Pop,’ passed away on October 15, 2026, in Raleigh, NC. He was born in Binghamton, NY, on January 6, 1935, and was the son of the late Leon Pennell and Maude Pennell. He was predeceased by his first wife, Joan Osgood, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. For his first date with Joan, he went to see the movie in advance to make sure it was appropriate before taking her to see it. They married in 1957. He later married Charlotte Hunt Pennell, who also predeceased him; they were married for 21 years. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Leone Sweedo of Tucson, AZ, and Juanita Robbins of Calabasas Park, CA, and his son-in-law, Patrick Brown, of Raleigh, NC.

George graduated from North High School in Binghamton, NY, in 1953 and then attended Union College in Schenectady, NY, becoming the first in his family to attend college. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree.

George was hired by IBM in Oswego, NY, in 1957 but took a leave of absence to serve as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. From 1958 to 1960, he served with the 401st Tactical Fighter Squadron in Alexandria, LA, and then with the USAF Security Service in San Angelo, TX, in 1961. He received an honorable discharge in 1966.

After his military service, he returned to IBM, where he retired in 1990 as a senior engineer in Raleigh after a 32-year career. His career with IBM included a one-year assignment in Greenock, Scotland, in 1973, where his family lived and his children attended school. His work there contributed to the invention of the ATM and pioneering work in the emerging field of artificial intelligence.

George was a quiet soul with a huge heart, the cutest smile and a great sense of humor. He loved children, both his own and others. He supported his children in all their endeavors and attended countless band concerts, football games, soccer games, graduations, dance recitals, and more. He would come to visit the grandchildren when they were babies, even if just to watch them sleep. He had a special connection with his first great-grandchild, Lily. Their eyes just lit up whenever they saw each other.

He was an active member of All Saints Anglican Church in Raleigh, where he served as an acolyte, an usher, and a vestryman, and volunteered on church projects and other activities. He did just about everything there was to do.

He enjoyed woodworking, especially making miniature furniture for enthusiasts from around the world through his website, ‘Pennell Miniatures.’ He achieved the rank of Artisan in the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. He loved history, especially the Civil War, World War I and World War II, and Native American history. He was an avid reader. His earlier hobbies included fishing, hunting, billiards, bowling, target shooting, genealogy, bird-and animal-watching, and traveling the world. More recently, he discovered a love of jigsaw puzzles with his daughter and her friends.

George fought a seven-year battle with prostate cancer, receiving treatments every four months. In October 2025, the family received the devastating news that he also had leukemia. He chose to fight that, too. His goal was to make it to Christmas; he made it nearly a year. Over the years, he became not only a parent but also a friend to his children. They were able to take walks, solve puzzles, reminisce, watch Andy Griffith and Columbo, and play games. He told us he never thought he would outlive his wife, but in the end, he outlived two wives. He gave our family an amazing life, and we will always cherish the time we had with him.

He is survived by his children, Suzette Pennell Brown of Raleigh, NC, and Mark Charles Pennell (Martha) of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren, Katherine Brown (Clay Savely) of Asheville, NC, Kelly Turner (Bradley) of Raleigh, NC, Charles Pennell of Atlanta, GA, and Sam Pennell (Grace) of Arvada, CO; and his great-granddaughter, Lilyana Savely of Asheville, NC. He is also survived by his sister, Donna O’Neil, of Wylie, TX, and his stepdaughter, Anne Goodwin Crump (Claude), step-grandchildren Charlotte Crump, Claude Crump (Katherine), and Virginia Crump, and step-great-grandson Claude V, all of Virginia.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Anglican Church in Raleigh, NC, concluding with military honors. The family will receive friends afterward at the church. A private graveside burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford, NC.

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