GARY DANIEL PENKILO

TYLER — Gary Daniel Penkilo, 57, went to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 30, 2025 in Tyler, TX after a three years and three month journey with pancreatic cancer. Born July 7, 1967 in Parkville, Maryland to Daniel Frank Penkilo and Mary Janet Penkilo, Gary’s family moved to Kerrville, TX in 1978 where he graduated Tivy High School in 1985. He graduated with a BBA in 1990 from the McCombs Business School at The University of Texas at Austin.

Gary began a 28 year career with Henry and Peters accounting firm in 1996. He passed the CPA examination in 1998. Gary’s father was an accountant and was proud of Gary for choosing the same profession and passed the CPA exam. In 2004, Gary was named a partner at the firm. He was described by his co-workers as not outspoken but when he spoke, everyone listened. Gary was everyone’s biggest fan and encourager at the firm. He was the calm in the room with steady advice and counsel.

Gary was truly blessed to work with so many wonderful clients over the years. They loved working alongside him and became treasured friends.

In February 2002, Gary met the love of his life on a blind date at Jake’s in Tyler, TX. It was love at first sight. Gary’s gorgeous blue eyes and peaceful spirit stole Monica’s heart. They were engaged five months later, and married May 31, 2003. They welcomed their cherished daughters, Ava Hope in 2006 and Anna Grace in 2008.

He was a faithful member of Green Acres Baptist Church where he and Monica served in the Children’s Ministry teaching three year old Sunday School. He loved his community and served in the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Contact Club, Order of the Rose, Leadership Tyler Class XV, and Treasurer for the American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Gala, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, Literacy Council of Tyler, Champions for Children and Tyler Rose Museum.

Gary was the most compassionate son and caretaker to his mother starting in 2001 when his father passed away from acute leukemia and until she entered assisted living in 2022. He was a loving brother to his sister, Jeannine and stood by her side after her husband passed away suddenly from a heart attack in 2021.

Gary cherished family adventures. Some highlights after his diagnosis were family trips to Pebble Beach, a spontaneous New York City Christmas, 4th of July at The Broadmoor, and beach trips to Watercolor, Florida.

He was a proud Texas Ex. He followed all Longhorn sports, and was passionate about college football, especially his Texas Longhorns. He was always looking for chances to attend games with family and friends. Recent family Longhorn game memories included the Sugar Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, and the TX/OU game.

Gary’s love for golf started in Kerrville when his dad would drop him off at the driving range for the entire day. His friends remember his many VHS golf tapes, with the 1986 Masters being his favorite. From Gary’s home course in Texas at Willow Brook Country Club to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and from Sea Island on the east coast to Pebble Beach on the west coast, Gary was always ready to enjoy the outdoors in God’s beauty and play the game he loved most. Gary played golf as a gentleman just as he lived his life. A true professional. He loved that golf was a game of etiquette and sportsmanship, and he loved its history and tradition. Golf has its ups & downs similar to life. Gary was able to handle the highs and lows without others knowing if he was playing his best round or his worst. He always made sure everyone was having fun, and it was always about fellow golfers, not himself. The game of golf teaches so many inherent values like honesty, integrity, patience, courtesy, and perseverance; Gary bestowed all of these qualities.

A devoted husband, father, brother and friend, Gary was always more interested in others. If you inquired about him, he’d turn the conversation to hear about you and your family. Even in his last days, visitors and friends admired his commitment to love and care for them. Gary leaves a family who cherished him and will miss him deeply. He modeled faith and deep trust in the Lord that will forever bless both his girls and his friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his father, Dan Penkilo, his mother, Janet Penkilo and brother-in-law, Mark Luenser. Gary is survived by his devoted wife of 21 years, Monica Phillips Penkilo, and his two adored daughters, Ava Hope Penkilo and Anna Grace Penkilo, his sister, Jeannine Luenser of Denton, TX, nephews, Kenneth Luenser and wife Lilly and great niece Poppy, Steven Luenser and Matthew Luenser, brother by marriage Chris Phillips of Frisco, TX and wife Lindsay, and nieces and nephew, Hailey Phillips, Caden Phillips and Hannah Phillips.

The family would like to express gratitude to Gary’s compassionate health care teams at UT Southwestern, MD Anderson, and UT Health Hope Cancer Center. The family is thankful for the support and care the Hospice of East Texas extended to Gary and his family in his last month of his life. Monica, Ava and Anna would like to extend their utmost gratitude to friends and family who prayed fervently and who loved, encouraged, and supported Gary and the Penkilo family during his cancer journey.

Pallbearers: Robert Herr, Kenneth Luenser, Matthew Luenser, Steven Luenser, Caden Phillips, Chris Phillips, Clint Roxburgh

Honorary Pallbearers: The current officers of Henry and Peters, Tom Brown, Joe Freeman, Michael Harrison, Greg Kiblinger, Gary Miller, Rogers Pope, Thomas Smith, Ken Waits, Jay Ward, Walter Wilhelmi, Bryan Ziegler

Funeral services for Gary Penkilo will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 11 a.m. in the Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel with Hixon Frank officiating. A reception will follow.

A private family graveside burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Gary Penkilo to the Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701, https://hospiceofeasttexas.org. Please note Penkilo Place in the online giving donation page for a very special project honoring Gary.