Jay Penning

LIFESTORY:

Some men look for every chance to steal the limelight, to give the orders, or to accept the awards. Jay Penning certainly wasn't one of them. Jay was simply born to lead, shouldering the burden with intellect, ability, and humility. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a proud veteran. Most of all, Jay was a man you couldn't help but want to follow.

Jay's story began on a cool spring day in 1921, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, at the dawn of the Roaring 20s, when Big Bands and jazz music was king, and Prohibition was the law of the land. There was much to celebrate in 1921, especially for John and Gertrude (Fennema) Penning, who celebrated the birth of their first son on March 30, a boy they named Jay. Later he would be joined by brother Kenneth in their Westside home, where his father worked as a fireman and carpenter and his mother cared for the home.

Jay attended the West Side Christian School as a young boy, before graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School with the class of 1938. After high school, he studied at Davenport College for a time, before transferring to the University of Grand Rapids, where he earned his degree in accounting. His personal life was about to get more interesting than his professional one, however.

Jay had known a wonderful young woman named Bette Nederveld ever since he was a young boy, as Bette lived a half-block away, and they both worked at the greenhouse her uncle owned. As they grew up, an attraction bloomed, and one day in 1940, Bette summoned the courage to ask Jay on a date! Their childhood friendship soon became a lifelong romance. They dated three years before eloping to Muskegon, where they were married by a judge on July 13, 1943. They would have married sooner, but Bette was a senior nursing student and prohibited from marrying while in school - not to mention Jay's commitments at the time.

With the country entering World War II, Jay, like so many young men, enlisted in the service. It was 1942 when he joined the Navy, which found use for the bright young man in the recruiting office in East Grand Rapids and later in Detroit. Born leader that he was, Jay was commissioned as an ensign and shipped off to Princeton University and then Harvard for communications training. He had another stop at the University of Colorado to study the Russian language before finishing his Naval career in Washington D.C. as a Naval Intelligence Officer with the rank of Lieutenant. Bette was able to follow Jay to all his assignments. When he was discharged, he signed back up for the Naval Reserves in Grand Rapids, finishing in 1950.

After the war ended, the young couple rented a house in Wyoming Park before buying their first home there. Eventually they moved to Hampstead NW, and in 1956 they moved to Fremont NW before building the family home on Collindale NW in 1959. In 1996 they moved to English Hills condos.

The Pennings moved as their family grew, and Jay and Bette were blessed with four wonderful children over the years, Russ, Robert (Rocky), Randy and Kathy, who filled their lives with pride and joy.

Jay provided for his family by first working at Standard Oil after the war, followed by stints at General Motors and a private aviation service. Eventually, Jay found his niche at the Johnson Hanley Johnson Furniture Company, where he worked his way to the post of president. After a number of years there, he joined the Rose Johnson Furniture Company, where he served as the executive vice president, and eventually co-owner in the mid-60s.

Jay didn't stop there, however. He was a born leader--the kind of man people were happy to follow, and he found himself involved nearly everywhere he went. He served as president of the Grand Rapids Credit Association, was a member of the West Side Christian School Board, and also served as a church deacon.

Jay's beloved Bette retired from nursing in 1981, and he followed suit in 1983, giving him more time for his many hobbies. He was always interested in deer hunting, fishing, and boating, being the great outdoorsman that he was. He also loved playing cards, especially Setback. Jay was a sports fan, particularly of the University of Michigan's teams and recently the Detroit Tigers. Jay also loved traveling, going everywhere, from the many camping trips they took when the kids were young to the exotic places he visited with Bette in retirement, including Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, and other parts of the United States.

Family was always the most important part of Jay's life, and he adored being a grandpa, faithfully attending his grandkids' countless softball, baseball, basketball, soccer and cross-country competitions. Even when his health was failing as he suffered from congestive heart failure, diabetes and pulmonary hypertension, he still made every effort to be there for his family. He also had macular degeneration which limited his vision, though he was able to witness his grandson Bryan's graduation from the Air Force Academy in May of 2006 and his grandson Jason's wedding in June of the same year. These were such proud moments for Jay.

Sadly, Jay died Tuesday, April 03, 2007 at the age of 86.

Jay was a remarkable man who led a remarkable life, a life full of accomplishment and a life full of family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a proud veteran. Most of all, Jay was a man simply born to lead, not by ego but by ability, intellect, and example. Today his example lives on in all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Bette and by his children, Russell Penning of Morro Bay, CA, Robert and Carol Penning of Hudsonville, Randall Penning of Middletown, NJ and Kathleen and Craig Flietstra of Jenison. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to his beloved grandchildren, Christopher J. Penning, John Penning, Jason and Amy Flietstra, Bryan Flietstra and Erin Flietstra. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mildred Penning, Beverly Roedema and his brother-in-law Roger (Connie) Nederveld as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 11AM at Westend Christian Reformed Church, 955 Westend NW with Rev. Henry Admiraal officiating. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Friends may meet the family at the Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Side Christian School, 955 Westend NW, 49504, Unity Christian High School, 3487 Oak, Hudsonville, 49426 or the charity of one's choice. To read Jay's Life Story, share a favorite memory or sign the guestbook visit www.lifestorynet.com.