Lawrence Wayne Pennel

Lawrence “Wayne” Pennel, age 93, of Lakewood, Colorado passed away from natural causes on January 15, 2024. We remember a man whose life was a testament to the power of love, kindness, and resilience.

Wayne, son of Walter Haskell Pennel and Grace Ovid Hinds (Pennel) was born in 1930 in Inola, Oklahoma. Economic times were tough during the great depression and Wayne with his parents and brother Ken moved to the Denver area in 1936. His father, Haskill, found work with the W.P.A. - Civilian Conservation Corps and was part of the work crew that built Red Rocks Park located near Morrison, Colorado.

Both Pennel boys were quite close for their entire lives. Wayne’s childhood was a happy time, learning to ride bikes, playing, hide and seek, playing with his cousins, as well as arguing and fighting with his brother as brothers do. He was well cared for, and not aware of the tough economic times.

Wayne’s father enjoyed moving frequently until Wayne’s mother, Ovid, convinced Haskill to remain in one location to avoid Wayne and Kenny from moving from school to school. They rented an apartment on the second floor of a house at 1241 Elati St. where they lived there for seven years until Wayne left West High School. They lived near the Denver City and County Building and could hear the clock chime every hour. Wayne and Ken both also played in the West High School Band. After graduation, both boys joined the Armed Services with Wayne entering the Army and Ken joining the Navy. Stationed in Panama, Wayne played trumpet and was drum major in the army band.

After leaving the army, Wayne started working with his father, Haskill, learning construction and specifically the trade of plasterer. During this time Wayne developed an interest in the martial arts. It was not long until Wayne was fluent in martial arts and rose to the level of fifth degree black belt in judo. He also became advanced in the use of the Japanese yawara stick, which is much like a small police baton. He participated and enjoyed much success in various judo competitions.

It was at that time that Wayne started working at the Denver Police Academy teaching and preparing future Denver Police Officer Cadets in self defense and arrest compliance techniques. This experience ignited an interest in applying to and becoming a Denver Police Officer. It was not too long after that when his brother, Ken, followed him and also joined the Force.

In 1955 he met and dated Norma Lee Deeds and they were married in December of that year where they lived in Denver. Julia Kay Pennel and Lawrence “Larry” Wayne Pennel, Jr. were born in 1956 and 1958 respectively. They moved to Lakewood in 1962. Family life was good for Wayne as he and Norma watched their children grow and get involved in various activities.

After rising through the ranks and holding many job titles in the Denver Police Department, Wayne retired in 1983 from the position of Captain and Commander of District #2. He left the department a well respected leader who demonstrated fair and even leadership his entire career.

After retirement, Wayne continued his profession in law enforcement as he consulted with various businesses on security matters.

On a personal and spiritual level, Wayne became involved with Masonic Organizations. This included leadership roles within the Masonic lodge. Wayne being a spiritual person, his last active role with the Masons was assuming the role of Chaplain of the Englewood Lodge. He especially enjoyed all of the memorization requirements and quickly became a resource as well as a tutor for inductees into the lodge. During that time Wayne also became a Shriner and participated in various Shriner groups including several Shriner Motorcycle teams. Both he and Norma enjoyed attending various events around the country as they toured and competed in motorcycle team competitions. His success is evident by the amount of his many trophies.

After the passing of Norma, a very special person came into Wayne’s life. He married Nancy Osborn in June, 2000, and their romance continued until his passing. Wayne and Nancy enjoyed being with each other, attending family gatherings and events, going to dancing classes and spending time with his brother Ken and his wife Barbara. Wayne’s best life long friend, Ken, passed in April of 2022 creating a void that lasted the rest of Wayne’s life. When asked about Ken, Wayne always mentioned how much he missed his brother.

In his later years, Wayne demonstrated his unbelievable toughness, mostly struggling with painful knees, loss of hearing, kidney issues and pulmonary disease. Through it all, he never lost his sense of self and he rarely complained.

Wayne was the best husband, father and brother a person could have. He was a person of high integrity, kindness, strength of character, honesty, courage, graciousness, and a strong devotion to family. He used these attributes during every phase of his life. Everyone: family, friends, coworkers, spoke highly of Wayne. He was kind, self reflecting and quiet in a subtle way. He was always present, even when he wasn’t necessarily part of the conversation. When he did speak, it was worth paying attention.

Wayne also had subtlety in his humor and his opinions were backed by facts. He was a spiritual person believing in an afterlife with more life’s yet to be lived. He was not afraid of death, however, he cherished his life and fought death to the very end.

Though his quiet demeanor, Wayne was a leader. You grasped his command. He had an impact in the people around him, and he believed he would have an impact on them after life.

Wayne, truly, was a gentle giant in statue and spirit.

Wayne is preceded in death by Wife: Norma Lee Pennel, Grandsons: Michael Christopher Spring & Wesley Jared Pennel, Brother: Kenneth Glenn Pennel, Nephew: David Glenn Pennel, Niece: Paula Kay Rumsey (Pennel).

Wayne is survived by his wife: Nancy Osborn-Pennel, Children: Julia Pennel Spring, Lawrence Wayne Pennel, Jr., Granddaughter: Shawna Spring Reed|, Grandsons: Tyler Justin Pennel & Evan Garrett Pennel, Great Granddaughters: Kailey & Zoey Reed, numerous nephews and nieces. He also embraced Nancy’s family: Sandra Grace Osborn, David Ralph Osborn-Hall, Zachery David Heidrick, Joshua Osborn Heidrick, Kristen Grace Husmann, Brooklyn Grace & Paisley Rae Hussman.

Memorial will be held:

Friday, February 23, Service at 12:00 pm. With lunch and fellowship after.

At Mile High Church Community Building, 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood, CO, 80226.

Please Park in the Church Parking lot, entrance is on Garrison St.

Interment will be held:

Friday, February 23, at 3:00 pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave, Denver, CO 80236