Obituary of John E. Penland

John was born August 31, 1926 in Waycross, GA, and passed away December 3, 2015 in Columbia, SC. John was the only child of Dr. John E. Penland and Mrs. Nell Bates Penland. He loved growing up in Waycross, GA, where he had many friends. He graduated from Waycross High School in 1944. While in school, he lettered in football, was the President of the Senior Class, and was voted Most Likely to Succeed. At the age of 11, he set three goals. They were to play tennis, learn to dance, and learn to sail. He began playing tennis at age 12, and was the GA Singles State Champion at age 18. He enjoyed the sport for over 65 years. He took dance lessons at age 14, and did not quit dancing until he was in his 80s. He learned to sail, and enjoyed sailing his own boat while he lived in Charleston. John served in the U.S. Navy as a Medical Corp Officer during World War II, from October 1944 until July 1946. John graduated from Emory University in 1950 with a degree in Biology. During his time at Emory, he was Captain of the Push Ball Team, lettered in baseball and was pledged to Kappa Alpha Fraternity. John worked most of his life in the pest control business; first with Orkin Pest Control, and then for over ten years as a manager and trainer with Terminix Pest Control in Columbia. He moved to Charleston, SC in 1975. He eventually bought a house on the marsh on James Island, resumed sailing as a hobby, and became a life-time member of the James Island Yacht Club. While in Charleston, he joined Toastmasters International; eventually becoming the District Governor in 1986. After moving to Charleston, he started the Pied Piper Pest Control Company. One of his favorite experiences was the time he was paid to do some training in Germany for a pest control company. He loved Germany, and took advantage of his time there to do a great deal of sight-seeing and brought back many souvenirs. He ran Pied Piper Pest, a very successful business, until September of 1989, when tragedy struck in the form of Hurricane Hugo. The business never recovered from the devastation, and he was forced to close in 2010. Never being a quitter, John moved back to his hometown of Waycross, GA. There, he began a career selling life insurance, winning a trip to London, England. Having learned to dance The Shag while living in Charleston, SC, he decided that he would expose the citizens of Waycross to some South Carolina culture, and so he began teaching shag lessons. He was a member of the Golden Isles Shag Club. He also started the Waycross Chapter of Toastmasters International and was involved in the Library Board. In 2012 John moved back to SC to live with his daughter, Sandra, where he remained until his death. He was an avid reader and found a second home at the Irmo Library, becoming a member of the Friends of the Library. He was a sports fanatic, and although he could no longer play, spent many hours watching his favorite teams play, including University of Georgia and USC football and Duke basketball. John was Christian, and most recently a member of McGregor Presbyterian Church. When he was no longer able to attend, he enjoyed watching the message on television from First Baptist Church in Columbia. John found it easy to talk to everyone and made friends wherever he went. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his ability to motivate those around him. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Sandra N. Penland; his granddaughters, Alicia Blease and Amanda Stegenga (Chad), of Columbia; his grandson, Col. Byron Penland of Huntsville, AL; his great grandchildren, Summer Davidson, Bailey Carey, Nicholas Stegenga, Jackson Stegenga and Jason Stegenga; and his dear friend, Jim Bass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Disabled American Vets, the Wounded Warrior Project, or the charity of one's choice. The family asks that friends help celebrate John's life at the home on Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. A private ceremony, with the scattering of John's ashes, will be held at a later date.