Michael Lee Penneman

Michael Lee Penneman was born on November 21, 1962 in San Diego, California to Robert B. & Janice M. Penneman, being the youngest of five siblings. The family was transplanted to Fort Worth, Texas in July 1964 from San Diego. 

The sudden passing of our "baby" brother stunned all of us. His longtime girlfriend, Debbie Smith, notified the brothers and sister that he was found deceased in his apartment by the police in Brighton, Colorado after many attempts to contact him. When she could not get him to respond after their Saturday evening phone conversation, she contacted local friends who responded immediately and called 911. Michael passed sometime during Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Mikey, you don't know how much you will be missed by your loved ones, especially your two Debbie's.

Michael loved the sport of Golf and was willing to teach it to others. He loved trivia and music from the 60's and 70's and later. Mike loved his new family of friends he had made in Brighton, CO and spent many evenings with them at the Old Chicago Pizza, his favorite sports hangout.

Mike loved animals and his Dallas Cowboys.

He had plans to move back to Texas after October this year and be back with his beloved Debbie, hoping they would no longer be separated by the challenges of long distance, although they made several trips back and forth from Denver to Dallas and recently shared a cruise this past July, when she noticed some emerging health issues.  Debbie Smith wanted to share her story about Mike and how they met. 

"Michael was taking a sabbatical when we met on Facebook dating platform. Five days later, he and Debbie Smith fell in love. For the past three years they enjoyed each other's company immensely,  at first from Fort Worth to Dallas. Then Michael gained employment at Xcel-Nokia in Denver from late 2023 until mid 2025. 

They maintained their relationship and were planning to be back together in November of this year. My love for Michael surpassed all challenges of a long distance relationship.  We truly had an everlasting love for one another.  

He had a twinkle in those killer blue eyes and a sweet smile that just melted my heart."

Michael was preceeded in death by his beloved parents, Robert in 2014 and Janice in 2023. 

He is survived by:

His sister Debra and Blair Collins all of Palacios, TX and children Casey Collins and his sons, Hayden and James. Caren Collins-Utley and her sons, Jack and Kason. Sarah and Matthew Dyke of Heber Springs, AR. 

Brothers and their family:

Roger and Carey Penneman of Fort Worth, TX. His daughter Kimberly Bloom- Penneman and son Miles of Austin, TX and Daughter, Stacy (Daniel) Guajardo of Austin, Texas. 

Stan and Dollye Penneman of North Richland Hills, TX and their children Jason and Shannon Penneman of Springtown, TX and their children, Lyra and Logan. Cindy and Daniel Bearden of Grapevine TX and daughter Ester. Scott and Sarah Penneman and daughter Olivia of Gardner, KS. 

Doug and Julie Penneman of Azle, TX and his son Phillip and Anna Penneman and daughter Evie. Julie's son Colby and Nicole Murphy of Colleyville, TX and 3 children.

Aunt Sonja Anders of Hemet, CA. Aunt Sharon and Claude Buss of San Diego,  CA and their 3 children, Eric, Sharlyn, and Richard, and many grandchildren.

Michael had a very large family. 14 cousins and many second cousins scattered all over CA, the PNW, NV, & TX. And a large number of nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to thank the many friends Mike had to help us with taking care of Mike's belongings, and during the incident when Mike had passed. Many blessings to Richard and his son Mason, PJ, Monte, and John. 

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,  concerning them which are asleep

(dead) that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord,  that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Then those which are alive and remain (standing through the time of trouble) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Wherefore, comfort one another with these words."  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

"Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible body must put on incorruption, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 

So when this corruptible body shall have put on incorruption,  and this mortal body shall put on immortality,  then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written (Isaiah 25:8-9) 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?'

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 

But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. "

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Jesus answered, ' Verily, verily I say unto thee; Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God'.  John 3:5

A memorial for Michael will be held by his siblings at:

Angelo's BBQ at 2533 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth, TX on Saturday- Sept. 20th at 3:00pm. A private room is available.

Michael's family invites all his friends to attend and share their stories and memories. 

Prices for food and drink are not available at this time. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Lee Penneman, please visit our floral store.