OBITUARY
Penn was born on March 12, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas, and was raised in Texhoma, Oklahoma. He graduated from Texhoma High School in 1963 and enlisted in the Army where he auditioned for and was accepted into the Army band to play the clarinet. He also played bass in a jazz quartet on the side for extra money.
Penn loved airplanes and flying. He built his first model airplane when he was 12 years old and as an adult, became interested in learning to fly. Penn took flying lessons in Stratford, Texas, where he learned to fly Cessna airplanes. He never took the final flight sequence to become licensed but until late in life dreamed of owning and flying his own airplane. He also enjoyed hunting for arrowheads, fishing, and camping.
Penn married Linda Fay Daniell on March 31, 1968, and they were married for over 55 years. They met in Dallas, Texas, at the VFW when Penn pulled up a chair to the table Linda was sitting at and introduced himself. Together they have two daughters—Linda Kay Jones of Sun City, Arizona, and Macy Danielle Gilchrest, of Pecos, Texas.
Penn and Linda’s first 10 years of marriage were marked by frequent moves around Texas. While in Stratford, Texas in 1980, Penn started working at an auto parts store called A&I Parts. In 1981 he heard A&I was opening a store in Clayton, New Mexico, and he moved his family to Clayton to operate the store. Penn worked at A&I Parts for 28 years until his retirement.
Penn and Linda also operated a small barbeque concession for over 20 years. Lin and Penn’s BBQ, as it was known, was a popular eatery in and around Clayton and they frequently catered events, shows, and fairs in the southwest. Penn was picky about his food but loved everything Linda cooked.
Penn was preceded in death by his parents, John Rufus Whitson and Ida Macy Yates Whitson; and his sister Jo June McDaniel. He is survived by his wife, Linda Fay Whitson; his daughters, Linda Kay Jones (husband Barry) and Macy Danielle Gilchrest (husband Terry); 7 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.
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