John Howard Penfield, 76, of Thousand Oaks, CA, peacefully passed away on February 3, 2023 in Los Robles Hospital while holding the hand of his sweetheart of 50 years. He was born in Glendale, California on July 18, 1946 to Janette and Dudleigh Penfield. He grew up in Studio City and Encino, CA. He loved his California suntans and his summer Idaho adventures with family. He went to Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, CA and went on to graduate from California State University, Los Angeles in Finance.
Above all, John loved his family. In 1972, he married his true love Margaret Smith in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints for time and all eternity. Their family grew to include seven children, and now includes 22 grandchildren. For 48 years John worked in the banking industry for Security Pacific Bank, Bank of America, ABN Amro Bank and California Bank and Trust, becoming an expert at Trade Finance. When not at work, he was with his family. He loved working with his children in the yard, watching them compete in sports, vacationing and exploring the National Parks, and enjoying the beach. He especially loved Carpinteria, CA. He always made time for his family and loved to play with his children.
As a young child he was always anxious to serve. He enjoyed helping his mother around the house, working in the yard and caring for her roses. Growing up in the days of American Graffiti and cruising Van Nuys Boulevard led to a lifelong love of cars. He and his father shared this love, which he passed onto his children. He built many models with his father. He loved studying history, especially World War II and the great statesmen of the past. His Aunt Jo introduced him to photography and he loved his time behind the lens, taking pictures and videos - capturing and memorializing much of our lives. John also loved music - rock and roll, oldies, broadway, classical, spiritual, sacred… and he especially loved listening to Margaret play and sing.
Woodworking was a rewarding creative outlet for John. An incredibly capable do-it-yourselfer, John trimmed out the family home, built furniture and completed a large home renovation with the help of a few subcontractors in Northridge. He taught each of his children his handyman ways.
John’s devotion to Jesus Christ led to faithful service in the Church that extended throughout his life. He served in many callings and church organizations through the years; he especially loved serving with the youth. He cherished being a husband and father and supporting his wife and children in their service in the church. He served for many years in the Los Angeles Temple, strengthening his connection to his Father in Heaven. He and Margaret served a mission in 2017-2018 to Kirtland, OH. Together they loved sharing the faith building stories of the early Saints with the thousands of visitors. He was an exceptional storyteller.
John is survived by his wife, Margaret and their children: Michelle (James) Fowler, Janette (Ty) Rasmussen, Carolyn (Ryan) Halvorsen, John (Natalie) Penfield, Scott (Jamie) Penfield, Ryan (Sejin) Penfield, Steven (Jana) Penfield, and 22 grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Susan Merrill. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, and older brother Peter Hertjes Penfield. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Lung Transplant Team at UCLA, the UCLA Medical Center, and Los Robles Hospital. The whole Penfield family received the miracle of a donor lung for John in December of 2018. The four additional years of love and memories we enjoyed with him are immeasurable. We remain indebted to his donor and his family. Please choose to be an organ and blood donor. https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up
Family and friends are invited to funeral services to be held on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 10am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1600 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. A viewing will be held in the multipurpose room of the church preceding the funeral services from 9am to 10am. Please click this link for zoom access to watch John’s memorial. https://zoom.us/j/97472080389
Interment will immediately follow in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, Howard Road Camarillo.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.