Mike Penwarden

Mike Penwarden, 74, of Alba, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Mike was born on March 9, 1951 in Beardstown, Illinois to Robert and Dorothy (Slaughter) Penwarden. He was a 1969 graduate of Sam Houston High School in Arlington. Mike was a truck driver for many years, working for Consolidated Freight Company and continued with them when they sold to Yellow Freight Company. He later left trucking to attend police academy and became a certified peace officer, working in the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and then Everman Police Department as a reserve officer. After a few years, he missed his former profession and returned to trucking. Mike greatly enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, but his true passion in life was fishing for black bass. This led him to Lake Fork, known for its exceptional trophy bass fishing, and he later made his home at the lake. He married Susan Phillips Brackeen in January of 2020, and together they cherished lake life and all it had to offer. Mike is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Pat Penwarden. Survivors include his wife, Susan Penwarden; son, Matt Penwarden and wife, Cymbre; granddaughter, Addison 'Addi' Penwarden; step-granddaughter, Alexis 'Lexi' Blauvelt; the mother of his son, Janice (Jan) Penwarden; several nieces and nephews; and his much-loved canine companion, Button. He will also be greatly missed by his many friends at Lake Fork.