Gordon F. Penick Jr.
Today, we laid a 'great' man to rest.. Gordon's Dee Dee. It was a beautiful 70 degree spring day in Hollywood Cemetary. So many family, friends, and Lee Hy employees joined to celebrate his life. Callie and Liam, his youngest great-grandchildren were there and I truly think they shed light on new life.
The pastor spoke of meeting Gordon nearly 50 years ago and thinking "this is the best dressed man I've ever seen".. well those may very well be my first impressions of Dee Dee when I met him just over eight years ago. His pants would never dissapoint - yellow, maybe green, but always to the nines. But, as a grandfather, Dee Dee was much more. Gordon IV got his first swingset from Dee Dee.. and well, most of us know that Gordon doesn't express much emotion.. but in more recent years, Gordon would come home 'all lit up' (just a smilin' his typical smile), his grandfather had been giving him 'little things' and Gordon treasured them - everything from a Penick coat of arms to old family photos and his old gold watch or the swimsuit Sports Illustrated ;) Gordon will certainly miss his Dee Dee in the office right next to his; but will hold fond memories near and dear for eternity.
His obituary follows and it proves a long, full, accomplished life. And a great life it is.
May you rest in peace, Dee Dee. All our Love.
PENICK, Gordon F. Jr. (Lt. Col. USAFR Ret.), 88, passed away April 12, 2011 at his home after a brief illness. He was predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth Tod; his first wife, Regina Bearer Penick, and his stepdaughter, Cindy G. Woods. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Ellen Kidd Penick. He is also survived by his three children, Blair P. McIlwain, Gordon F. III (Ruthie) and Joseph B. (Nancy); his five grandsons, C.R. Langhorne, Gordon IV, William, Jay and Tommy; his five great-grandchildren, Chase, Tucker and Brooke Langhorne and Callie and Liam Penick; his stepdaughters, Wendy Woods (Ron Payne), Kathy Fogelman and Betsy Tyler (Taylor), and stepgrandchildren, Jason and Jarrad Fogelman and Ellen and Evan Tyler. Gordon graduated from Thomas Jefferson and entered the service on February 1941 with the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, 29th Division. He transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, earning his fighter pilot wings in 1944, and was an instructor until 1945. He then joined the USAF Reserves serving as staff civil engineer for Tactical Air Command at Langley AFB until he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1973. Gordon started his civilian career as an inspector for the Virginia Highway Department (1945 to 1948), then joined Asphalt Paving Service in 1948, becoming president and owner in 1958. This company merged with Lee Hy Paving Corp. in 1969, with Gordon assuming control of Lee Hy in 1971. In recent years he has been serving as chairman of Lee Hy Paving. He served on numerous Industry boards including the Virginia Asphalt Association (president, 1963), the Virginia Road Builders (president, 1973) and the National Asphalt Pavement Association (chairman, 1993). He was a founding member and past president of the Downtown Club (1971) and a member of the Westwood Club, the Commonwealth Club, the 2300 Club, the Engineers Club, the Jamestown Society and the Sons of The Revolution. He was past president of American Legion Post 84 (1955), past president of the Central YMCA (1969) and vice- chairman of the Metro YMCA (1973). His fondest memories were of "Reedy Mill Pond" and the gardens he and Ellen developed there. The gardens were his work of love that were enjoyed by many, with pictures published in various professional books, magazines and videos. He enjoyed his extended family and having lunch with all his friends at the club. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave. A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2011 at Hollywood Cemetery with a celebration of Gordon's life following at The Commonwealth Club. Contributions may be made to The Virginia Home or the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
