Obituary of Raymond Joseph Penix

His Legacy… Ray J. Penix, owner of Donna’s Tax and Bookkeeping Service in Oroville, CA was asked to serve as the honorable and distinguished Grand Marshall for the 2017 Oroville Veterans Day Parade. Ray devoted his life to Service in both his local community and our Nation. In 1956, he began by serving in the U.S. Navy as a radar-man on a Naval BattleShip. He toured New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Guam, Japan, China, Okinawa, Taiwan, the Bikini Atoll and Vietnam. From 1986-1999, his national service continued in the California State Military of the National Guard where he retired as Bird Colonel. He held an over 46-year membership in the American Legion of Honor. At the local level, Ray served as a Butte County Honorary Deputy Sheriff and held an over 20-year membership in the California Sheriff’s Association. Ray Penix earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from Chico State College, followed by a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the American Cornerstone College in Hawaii. In the 1980’s as a function of helping families become independent and functional, Mr.Penix served as an accountant for Oroville’s EOC now known as the Community Action Agency. He also was instrumental in the formation of Head Start in Oroville. Prior to this, he had sold series E-Bonds to businesses to support FEMA efforts. Mr.Penix was a life-time member of the Masonic Blue Lodge located in Forbestown and the Scottish Rite Temple in Sacramento. Ray was also a Shriner, the Charitable arm of Masonry which supports a net-worth of 22 Hospitals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The purpose of the Shriners Hospitals are simple and to the point: Any child under the age of 18 can be admitted to the hospital if, in the opinion of the doctors, the child can be treated. Shriners have since added the treatment of burn victims and providing artificial limbs to veterans in their mission. There is no requirement for religion, race or relationship to a Shriner. Ray’s dedication to community, health, education, environment, and philanthropy, could be seen through his membership in the Oroville Ophir Lions Club of which he was a charter member. The Lions programs include sight conservation, diabetes awareness, youth outreach international relations, environmental issues and many other programs. Mr. Penix’s life-long service can easily be summed up in the LIONS acronym which stands for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety. His Family… Ray is survived by his Wife Norma Alicia Crespo Penix of Mazatlan Mexico. His children Craig A Penix of Oak Harbor Washington, Cindy A. Penix of Marysville Washington, Kevin D Penix of Anchorage Alaska, and Malia Penix of Oroville California. His step children Zulema, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Victor of Mazatlan Mexico. 19 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren. Ray is preceded in death by his daughter Suzann E Penix. Service will be held on May 17, 2021 1:00pm at Oroville Funeral Home. Arrangements entrusted to Oroville Funeral Home (530)533-0323.