James Etheridge "Jim" Penley
October 20, 1931 ~ September 1, 2019
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
James Etheridge “Jim” Penley passed away September 1, 2019, at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Black Mountain, NC. He was a son of the late Elbert Jesse Penley and Ella Louise “Susie” Jones Penley. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Pantha Vashti Houser Penley; daughter, Tye Penley Johnson; and siblings Woodrow Penley and Pauline Penley Mayo. Surviving are his son, John Rhodes Penley, and daughter, Jaime Susann Penley.
Born October 20, 1931, in West Asheville, Jim came from very humble beginnings. He was a standout athlete in his youth. In junior high, he was a member of the Millard-Fletcher Mighty Mights, a team which excelled in their active years. He went on to play baseball and football at Lee Edwards High School before joining the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Korea Conflict.
The GI Bill allowed him to continue his education. Inspired by his coaches and teachers, he went on to become those himself. After two years at Asheville-Biltmore College, he graduated from Western Carolina College and began his career, first as a coach and teacher at Hall Fletcher Junior High School. He went on to serve as principal at Hill Street Elementary School, South French Broad High School and South French Broad Junior High, before retiring as an associate of the Asheville City Schools Administration Offices.
After retirement, he took his wife Pantha wherever she wanted to go, from the Carolina beaches and all across the US, to Hawaii and Alaska, to England and Scotland, Denmark and Russia.
Graveside services will be held at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory on Friday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Winter Fuel Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC, 28806.
Services
Graveside Service: September 6, 2019 11:00 am
Ashelawn Gardens of Memory
901 Aiken Road
Asheville, NC 28804
828-645-6915
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Thanks Coach.
Prayers for all
Jim was for me a teacher and principal and coach in my junior high years. He told me that my baseball pitches were so slow, anybody could hit me, so I came from Lee Edwards to Hall Fletcher to pitch batting practice and boost the confidence of his baseball team. As an adult, any time I needed to be pepped up, I’d run by school to hear his encouragement. I got to be with him when he was hospitalized but left his room encouraged myself. He took special interest in what was happening in my life and always left me feeling better about myself than when I got there. We enjoyed hunting grouse together with his beloved dog, Sally. I was honored to have Jim and Pantha as my insurance clients for many years and invited them to join my family at my retirement dinner. He was such a caring, kind, considerate man who showed his faithful love to his wife and family and church and also to me. His smile will be missed.
Prayers for the Penley children. The Lord has welcomed Jim into his loving arms saying “Well done, Thou good and faithful servant”.
He and Pantha were good friends and admired co-workers.
Coach was an outstanding mentor to many of us young boys attending Hall Fletcher Jr High. I fondly remember his enforcement of the dress code. Young men had to have their shirts tucked in and if we had facial hair we were required to shave. He went so far as calling his wife one morning and making me walk up to his house near the school to shave. We had a few laughs about that years later. I appreciated his sincere interest in my positive development. Many of our lives were made better by having Coach Penley’s involvement in those early years.
A dedicated educator and coach who helped shape many young lives. RIP
Fair discipline when needed and necessary, loved teaching and coaching. He was a friend to his students. RIP! coach Penley
My Deepest Sympathy to the Family.
Mr. Penley was a true friend.
Linda McDaniel
Ruth Gaddy