Post by Machiavelli on Jul 3, 2009 18:27:04 GMT -6
Mr. Julius D. Penn (06-04-2009)
Photo of Mr. Julius D. PennViewing services for Mr. Julius D. Penn age 85, formally of Grambling, Louisiana will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gasch’s Funeral Home 4739 Baltimore Ave. Hyattsville, Maryland, www.gaschs.com/, June 5, 2009. Interment will follow at the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery 11301 Crain Hwy., Cheltenham, Maryland.
Julius D. Penn was born February 13, 1924, in Frederick, Oklahoma the son of the Reverend Dewitt D. and Lu Ethel Penn. He departed his life on May 24, 2009. He was the youngest of seven children. The family moved to Oklahoma City where he graduated from Douglas High School. He then served his country during World War II, eventually being offered the opportunity to train at Tuskegee, Alabama, as an Airman. However, because of an unforeseen illness, his dream was never realized. He returned to Oklahoma to later follow his High School football coach to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he was captain of the football team and graduated with honors. He returned to Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma University. He was one of the first African Americans to receive an MBA from that institution in 1954. It was during this time, that he reacquainted himself with his high school mate Pearl Williams. After several teaching and administrative positions; he accepted a position at Grambling College in 1963, as an Accounting professor. Within a year, he started the universities’ first Computing Center, where he continued as the Director until his retirement in 1995. His early retirement years were spent serving as a Deacon of the New Rocky Valley Baptist Church in Grambling, Louisiana. His retirement ended in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Pearl of 55 years, daughter Lori, and grandchildren Artis and Ayanna.
He is also survived by two sons, Ronnie Lloyd, Pigard, Oregon; Byron Penn, New Orleans, Louisiana; and grandchildren Ronnie Jr., Seleste, Jason, Jacob, Daniel, Stacey, Joshua, and Brandon.