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Obituary

We are sad to announce the earthly passing of Mark Todd Penner on Tuesday, May 9 in Orange, CA. Mark, a Wasco native, was born to John L. and Mary Lou (Williams) Penner on October 25, 1959. Mark spent his growing up years in Wasco as the third of four brothers. He attended Maple School when his family farmed outside of Shafter and other local Wasco schools after his family moved to town. Mark was a proud graduate of Wasco High School class of 1977, where he competed on the tennis team and developed many life- long friends. He attended Bakersfield College and later Fresno City College while furthering his love of architecture.

He went to Arizona State University where he continued his study of architecture and other artistic endeavors. Mark enjoyed his fraternity brothers and the friendships that he made. One of the most influential people that he met junior year was a beautiful freshman girl named Jacqui Hall. Mark would often say that he changed his degree to "staying a little longer," once he met Jacqui, a business major. He left architecture and began studying business too. Mark graduated from ASU in 1984.

Mark held a variety of jobs in the business and finance sector but one of his favorite jobs was working for Walt Disney in the Imagineering Department as they were preparing to open Euro Disney in France. Later Mark attended the Marshall School of Business at USC earning his master's degree in 2003. Mark dated Jacqui over a period of ten years before he asked her to be his wife. Jacqui recounts that evening was pure Mark Penner. He handed her a large box containing many things French, in honor of Euro Disney. The last small box Jacqui had to open contained the engagement ring. Mark and Jacqui were married six months later on November 14, 1992. The second highlight of Mark's life was the birth of his son, Jack, on August 28, 1999. Mark was very involved with all of Jack's pursuits especially Scouting.

Mark was such a good sport even doing the polar bear swims at scout camp. Father and son even did a marathon together. Mark had many interests which included going to the Spectrum Club Gym where he especially enjoyed spin class, running, all things British including the Royal family, the Queen of England, British detective series, and most of all Downton Abbey. Just before Mark entered the hospital for the last time he was eagerly looking forward to an upcoming Downtown Abbey event. He was also very musical and loved playing the piano. Mark was in drama in high school and played the iconic Peanuts tune for the play, "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown."

Mark had a life-long love for God and the various churches he attended. He was baptized at the Wasco First Baptist Church. Mark loved the Lord and had a very strong faith even as his own health was failing. He would always encourage others by saying that his life, like all of our lives, are following God's plan. Even though we don't know the plan we still need to have faith. Mark was a total inspiration to all who knew him. He suffered greatly through his cancer and the treatments that followed but you rarely, if ever, heard him complain. If you just texted him you would never have known that he was sick. His texts and phone calls were as upbeat as ever. Mark was just a force of nature, always positive and looking on the bright side of things.

He was a wonderful son, a special son-in-law, a friend to so many, a fun co-worker, a loyal fraternity brother, a favorite uncle, a loving brother, a beloved brother-in-law, and a very special husband and father. Even to the end of his life, Mark loved attending St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Mark's total faith in God is an inspiration to all who knew and loved him.

Mark is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou Penner, his mother-in-law Marlene Malouf Hall, and his great-nephew Cobyn. He is survived by his father, John L. Penner, his wife Jacqueline Hall Penner, his son Jack, his brothers Victor (Priscilla), Philip (Hanako), Skip (Kendra), father-in-law Gerry Hall (Clare), brother-in-law John Hall (Terri), and sister-in-law Jeanne Fontana. Nieces and nephews who will dearly miss their Uncle Mark are Jarrod (Leslie), Stephanie (T.J.), Beth (Masa), Katelyn (Josh), Korey (Shelbey), Conrad, Nina, Johnny, and Tony. We can now rejoice that Mark is in Heaven.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, May 18, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, CA. A graveside service will be held at Shafter Memorial Park on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a time of remembrance held at the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church Fellowship Center at 11:00 a.m.

 

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