We've Lost a Great Mustang

[DiamondM]

I just found out that W.K. Penn, a tireless and long-time supporter of the Mustangs and the Mustang Club, has passed away. This is a great loss to our team. He had been through everything, and remained not only a reliable contributor to the Mustang Club, but someone who probably called more people to get them to support the Mustangs than anyone ever has.

Here's the information I received:

A memorial service for Mr. W. K. Penn, a long-time Mustang Club member and fund drive worker, will be held this coming Saturday, August 5, at Northway Christian Church. The church is located at 7202 W. Northwest Highway across from Sparkman-Hillcrest. The service is at 1:00 p.m.

He graduated from SMU in 1944 and was a member of Phi Delta Theta, Blue Key, and President of the student body. He retired from the U. S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander having served in the Pacific during WWII.

W. K., called “Dub” by those who knew him best, was a very important part of the Mustang Club’s annual fund drive for many years. He loved the Ponies and was a persistent and diligent fund drive worker. W. K. just wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. Red and blue flowed in his veins.

[DiamondM]

By the way, if anyone is interested, his obituary says that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of his beloved son-in-law to MDA/ALS, National Headquarters, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718, Northway Christian Church, or The Mustang Club.

[Peruna88]

I was very sad to read this in the newspaper almost a month ago. Sorry for not posting this sooner. As DiamondM said above, W.K. was a tireless Mustang fan who really loved football. I was pleased to serve on the Morgan Campaign fund drive with him and am glad I was able to meet him.
W.K. was a true fan and he will be missed.

From The Dallas Morning News



PENN, WASHINGTON KENNEDY, III, W.K. joined his heavenly Father on Monday, July 3, 2006, in Dallas. He was born December 17, 1922, in McKinney, Texas to W.K. Penn, II and Edith Kitching Penn. W.K. was a longtime Dallas resident, having graduated from McKinney High School in 1940 and the SMU Class of 1944 with the B.A. degree. While at SMU, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Blue Key, and was the President of the Student Body from 1942-1943. In 1943, he was also President of the Student Body at TCU; President of two S.W. Conference colleges in the same year. He enjoyed being a strong supporter of the SMU Mustang Club, SMU football games and loved being in the company of his friends. W.K. was a 40 year member of the Park Cities Rotary Club, which he had perfect attendance; member of Northway Christian Church and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander having served in the Pacific during WWII. W. K. retired from Prudential Life Insurance Company. Preceded in death by his wife Barbara Penn and his son-in-law Olle Junhav. Survived by his daughter Charlotte Junhav and granddaughters Emelie and Alyssa Junhav all of McKinney; Judy Snell of Tucson and Linda Thompson of Plano; grandson Jason Penn and wife, Elisa and great-grandchildren Kasmir and Stasha Penn of Albuquerque; grandchildren Joy Thompson of Plano and Jamison Thompson and family; sister-in-law Shirley Miller of Duncanville; niece Diane Davis and family of Georgetown; cousin Howard Penn and wife, Jackie of Dallas. Special thanks to Gail Russell for her care and companionship and Maria Marquez for her loyal service and friendship. He leaves behind many cherished friends. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2006, at Northway Christian Church in Dallas at 1:00 p.m. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MDA/ALS (in memory of his beloved son-in-law, Olle Junhav), National Headquarters, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718, Northway Christian Church, 7202 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX 75225, SMU Mustang Club, Attention Gift Processing, SMU Office of Development, P.O. Box 750402, Dallas, TX 75275-0402, or to the charity of your choice. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401