Gary Dexter Bassett Penney

Gary Dexter Bassett Penney, born April 19, 1937, to Dexter Phippen Bassett and Marjorie LaRue Morse Larson, died peacefully August 26, 2023, in St. George, Utah at the age of 86. If you knew him, he was your friend. Gary will be missed by many, and mourned especially by his wife of 62 years, Prudence Brainard Penney, and their children Robb Penney (Susan), Polly Barbe (Phil), Scott Penney (Lillian), and Peggy Armour (Scott); along with twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Gary Penney graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, Class of 1955. He was in the Army National Guard reserves for over 5 years. He received his college degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah, finally retiring as a Parts Engineering manager working on satellites for NASA while employed by TRW in California. This work included a high security government clearance. His career carried him to living in Utah, Arizona, Florida, Washington, California and back to Arizona. He collected friends at every stop along the way in his life and always kept in touch with all. Gary could be heard saying in his years after retirement, “I’m having fun, aren’t you?” as he traveled around the country with his wife, Prudy, in their motor-home visiting friends and family. He lived his life with a strong belief in a hereafter, surrounded with family members and friends who would welcome him to his new home. He was always open to new adventures, from snow skiing as a young man, rafting the Colorado River at middle age, to tubing down the Salt River in Arizona at 75. He lived life to the fullest. Gary was an unpretentious, gregarious man. He made friends easily and loved to approach random people and engage in friendly conversation. He saw the world as one big picnic at a park full of strangers in which they were all going to be friends when they left. To honor Gary’s wishes we will celebrate his life with a big party, filled with food and at his personal request, an ice cream bar, on October 7th in St. George, Utah. At the request of and in consideration for our mother: in lieu of flower, please donate to Speak Up Kids, via this link: https://bit.ly/GaryPenney

Gary Dexter Bassett Penney

April 19, 1937 - August 26, 2023