Donald Eugene Penrod (Joe), 92, of Louisiana, Mo., died Saturday, June 29, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. A graveside service with military honors to bury his ashes will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 20, at the Fairview Cemetery near Louisiana, Mo., where the family would like to invite anyone wanting to attend.
Joe was born Aug. 22, 1931, in Pike County, Mo., to Earl Penrod and Cleo White Penrod. He was married to Dorothy Armbruster on Oct. 29, 1955, and she died earlier on Oct. 17, 2015.
He is survived by two sons, Joseph Penrod (Becky) of Louisiana, Mo., and Brett Charles Penrod of Louisiana, Mo., six grandchildren Joey Penrod (Katie), Tonya Sheppard (Shep), Megan Penrod (Jeremy Stoops), Trace Penrod, Kristine Cole (Matt), and Tamara Lawson, his older sister Ethel Mae Skillman of Frankford, Mo., 13 great grandchildren, Camdyn, Kaden, Keaston Penrod, Sophie Gilbert, Will, Brady, Halle Sheppard, Barron, Warren Stoops, Jack, Connor Penrod, and Beverly Cole, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
His parents, his wife, and a daughter, Beverly Penrod Lawson, died earlier.
Joe grew up in Pike County on a farm known to locals as Dougherty Pike (Bone Hollow). He attended Louisiana and was the quarterback in 1949 that lead the team to state. After school, he went to serve his country in the US Air Force and was deployed to serve his country as Airman 1st class, 428th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Buck Sargent in Korea from 1951-1955. After his military service, he owned and operated the Mobile station at 618 Georgia St., which he ended up owning again as Penrod Real-Estate. Joe then spent many years working at the Hercules Plant. In 1960, him and his wife bought a homestead out on North 79 where they fixed up a 100-year-old home and raised their family. He was a proud 58-year member of the Pipefitters UA Local 562, most of which was employed with Corrigan as a foreman. Another accomplishment he had was owning his Cessna 140 airplane and getting his pilot license with his wife. In 1980, he helped his daughter, Beverly, open County Garden Nursery until 2000. Joe liked to stay busy so after retirement he went back to his roots of farming and bought a farm to keep occupied and do what he loved. He was a past member of Pike County special road district and a member of the American Legion Post 370. He had the kindest heart and had many roles in life. He was a family man and his love shined in their lives. He got the most enjoyment watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.
Collier Funeral Home is in charge of cremation rites. Memorials may be made to the Pike Pioneer Center in Louisiana, Mo., or to the Louisiana Alumni Association. Online condolences may be sent at collierfuneral.com.