Ennis Wilbur Penland

Ennis Wilbur Penland, affectionately known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as PaPa, 76, passed away on January 4, 2022. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home Chapel, 4180 Canyon Drive, with his brother-in-law David Sledge officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 Friday, January 6, 2023 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home.

Ennis was born on October 7, 1946 in Pampa, TX to Johnnie and Eva Mae (Tarpley) Penland, and passed from this life on January 4, 2023 in Amarillo, TX. He graduated from Pampa High School in the class of 1965. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aircraft Mechanic on the USS Enterprise and USS America from February 1967 through December 1970, attaining the rank of E5. Ennis married Leesa Kay Sledge on December 18, 1976 at the First Christian Church in Hereford, Texas. Together they graduated from Amarillo College in 1978, with Ennis earning an Associate’s degree in Business. He was the founder and first Great Pepper (President) of the Tall in Texas Chili Pod and a lifetime member of the Chili Appreciation Society International. Ennis was employed by the United Parcel Service for 37 years as an over-the-road feeder driver and a member of the UPS Circle of Honor, having achieved 25 years of safe driving (though his entire career was encompassed by this achievement). He was a proud member of the Mack Million Mile Club, but an even prouder family man. The accomplishments of his are his children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law Gerald Sledge.

Survivors include his wife, Leesa Penland; two daughters, Terri Smith and husband Rodger of Amarillo; Christi Pointer and husband Joe of Yukon, Oklahoma; son, Kelly Penland and wife Beth of Stillwater, Oklahoma; his fur baby, Digby; 8 grandchildren, Courtney Hollon and husband Jake of Amarillo; Crystal Hermesmeyer and husband Jared of Porterville, California; Ryan Fulton of Yukon, Oklahoma; Corey Wagoner and wife Kali of Amarillo; Jessica Schweikardt and husband Ryan of Vernon; Ronny Stevens and wife Bailey of Midwest City, Oklahoma; Lacey Quadrelli and husband Ty of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Chris Penland and wife Mariah of Salina, Oklahoma; 14 great-grandchildren; his mother-in-law, Mary Sledge. Survivors also include a host of nieces and nephews.

The family suggests memorials may be made to High Plains Food Bank at hpfb.org; or to Ronald McDonald House at rmhcofamarillo.org.