James Michael “Jim” Penka 1944 - 2020

AURORA, Colo. — James Michael “Jim” Penka, age 76, retired IT manager, passed away from liver cancer on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 in Aurora, Colo.

Jim was born in Great Bend, Kan. on Feb. 16, 1944 to Lucas and Agnes Penka. He graduated from Radium High School in Radium, Kan. in 1962.

Jim served on active duty in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged in 1966.

He pursued studies at the DeVRY Institute of Technology in Chicago (Associate in Applied Science in Electronics Engineering Technology 1968) and the University of Colorado (B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 1973).

He loved traveling with his wife and was passionate about both science and history. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Karen “Charlie” Penka; children, Michael Penka (Marsha Corn) of Denver, Colo., Patricia Scharf (Scott) of Parker, Colo., and Gina Penka Corriveau (Jean Paul) of Brighton, Colo.; ten grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and his siblings, Dean Penka (Cecile) of Redding, Calif. and Rozanne Penka of Thornton, Colo. He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Lucas Lee, Willa Jean Schulte, Leonilla, and Duane.

A visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Romero Funeral Home, 15150 E. Iliff Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80014. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 at 12 p.m., at Romero Funeral Home, and military funeral honors will take place at 2:15 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. More information regarding the service and/or to leave an online tribute:  https://www.romerofuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Penka/#!/Obituary.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 30, 2020