James Penick

When someone comes into your life in a quiet way you are often surprised at the large impact
they have on you. Jim Penick was that type of person. He entered our lives with a quiet strength
and loved us just as we are, allowing us to be with him just as he was.
He was born November 11, 1936 in Kimball Nebraska to Robert Karl and Margaret Alice “Bricky”
Penick. The family moved to Cedaredge Colorado when Jim was at a young age. Growing up
on their ranch in Cactus Park near Cedaredge, he had a close relationship with his brothers,
Dave Penick and Raymond Lyle Penick. He attended school in Cedaredge before joining the
AirForce and rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. He had also made a career at NCR in
Colorado Springs.
In the midst of his military career he started a family. He had six kids with his first wife and lived
in Germany, Alaska, Texas and later Colorado Springs where he retired. His heart yearned for
the place of his youth so he returned to Cedaredge. He dabbled in raising emus, and llamas and
enjoyed going four wheeling with his brothers and family members who visited.
Just when he thought life was winding down he met and married his love and best friend,
Shannon Wilcoxen Penick. They had many adventures together going to Ireland and moving to
Oklahoma then back to Colorado. This expanded his family by two sisters, one brother and four
stepchildren. His legacy is carried on by 9 of the children, 19 grandchildren, 24 great
grandchildren, two great great grandchildren with another on the way and numerous nephews.
Jim discovered a new passion in his later years, and became an accomplished wood carver. He
created many prize winning carvings. However, the ones cherished by family and friends
contribute the most to the memories of his quiet strength.
Jim passed away on April 14, 2023 at the age of 86 years young. He was preceded in death by
his parents, an infant sister Shirley, his brother Raymond, and his eldest son.
The last wood chips have fallen, the sawdust has been swept away but the carving of his life will
continue to touch us all.