Thomas E. Penick Jr.'s Obituary
Judge and Brigadier General Thomas E. Penick Jr., age 80, passed away on March 21, 2019. The memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater, Florida on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
Tom was born October 18, 1938, in West Palm Beach, Florida to Tom E. Penick, Sr. and Josephine Boydston Penick. He graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1956. In 1960, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Florida and was a distinguished graduate of the University’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He then attended undergraduate navigator training at James T. Connally Air Force Base, Texas and began his flying career as a B-52D navigator with Strategic Air Command’s 306th Bombardment Wing at the McCoy Air Force Base in Florida. From 1967 to 1968, he served at the Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam. Upon his return, he entered the Air Force Reserves and worked in intelligence at MacDill Air Force Base.
In 1972, Tom earned his juris doctor’s degree from Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was engaged in private practice including service as the Belleair City Attorney prior to his appointment as a County Court Judge from 1978 to 1980 and as a Circuit Court Judge from 1980 to 2004. Tom always felt his greatest contributions were in the field of protecting the most vulnerable citizens. Having been instrumental in re-writing Florida’s probate code and the guardianship laws, he was considered a loyal champion and advocate for the rights of the elderly and became known as the “Father of Florida Probate.”
When off-duty, Tom devoted much of his time to sports. He coached youth football, basketball and baseball and was a Little League umpire. He was also an athletic recruiter for the U.S. Air Force Academy.
In 1989, Tom became one of the few navigators to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in the history of the Air Force. After 34 years of military service, he received the U.S. Air Force’s fourth ranking medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal. Other military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Longevity Service Award ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device, Air Force Training Ribbon and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was also selected as the Air Force Intelligence Service and Reserve Mobilization Augmentee Officer of the Year.
His awards and recognition from the legal community include two-time recipient of the Judicial Appreciation Award from the St. Petersburg Bar Association, the Barney Masterson Inn of Court Legal Excellence Award and the Clearwater Bar Association’s John U. Bird Distinguished Jurist Award. He was also the recipient of the William J. Castagna Award for Judicial Excellence presented by the Barney Masterson Inn of Court. At his retirement, the St. Petersburg Bar Association presented him with the General of the Law Award for his lifetime achievements.
Judge Penick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Leeanne Penick, sister Patty Ruth, daughter Mary Jo, son Tom and 3 grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Please visit www.mossfeasterclearwater.com for additional information or to post a tribute.
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