John Wesley Penton

John “Jack” Wesley Penton lived 93 extraordinary years, and on September 21st, 2026, he passed away peacefully with his daughter, Liz by his side. He was blessed to have seen his son, Mark and grandson, Warren a few days prior.

Born August 1, 1933, in Bastrop, LA to Floyd Curtis Penton Sr. and Hazel Margaret Warren Penton, Jack had quite the adventurous side. Those who knew him best probably heard stories of him ditching his shoes in the bushes on the way to Frasch Elementary School and as a teenager hitchhiking or hopping on trains traveling across the country, working odd jobs. In 1953, after returning home and attending McNeese State University, Jack was drafted into the Army. Shortly after induction, he was sent to Korea where he ran the NCO club and kept an inventory of the beer and spirits. Jack was often sent to barter inventory for tools and equipment. He was released from service at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas in 1955.

Jack married Betty Lou Flowers in 1956. They had two children, Liz and Mark. Jack was employed by CITGO Petroleum Co. and worked in water treatment, K20. In his off time, he could be seen coaching his kids' sports teams, assisting with Boy Scouts, and taking his family on summer trips to Galveston. Jack enjoyed building and repairing things, so much so that he built his own house using bricks from the original Frasch Elementary School. He was proud of that house and enjoyed sitting on the back porch with Betty, always with a cup of coffee in his hand.

Jack retired from CITGO in 1989. He and Betty opened an antique shop in town and spent much of their time hunting down antiques and unique collections all over the US. In the early 90s, they bought a camp on Toledo Bend where they loved spending time with family and watching the sunsets on the pier with a margarita and a beer. Jack and Betty were blessed with two grandchildren, Tara and Warren. They enjoyed watching the kids play various sports and just being around them and their friends. Jack was known as “Grandaddy” and was just as active in the lives of his grandchildren as he was with his own children. He loved having everyone out to the camp at Toledo Bend. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren out on the jet ski and the pontoon boat. In his final decade of life, his favorite moments continued to be with his family, much of which was spent at the camp. He loved to watch his great grandchildren playing in the yard and swimming all day followed by numerous rounds of “Chicken Foot” at night.

Jack leaves behind his daughter, Elizabeth Penton Molbert and son, Mark Warren Penton (wife, Lorri), and grandson, Warren Adam Bernis (wife, Shelley), great grandsons, Wesley Thomas Bernis and Jace Jaxon Bernis along with nieces and their families, and his best friend, Leroy Meaux. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Flowers Penton; his granddaughter, Tara JoAnn Penton; his parents Floyd Curtis Sr. and Hazel Penton; and his brother Floyd Curtis Penton Jr and wife Mickey.

A celebration of his incredible life will be held on October 10th at 1 PM, at Johnson Funeral Home, 107 W. Napoleon St., Sulphur, LA 70663. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM with funeral services beginning at 1:00 PM, officiated by Steven Bellard. Burial with military honors will be in the Mimosa Pines Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Warren Bernis, Hine Unkel, Brandon Unkel, Mark Olivier, Darrell Moore, and Tim Brossette.

Honorary Pallbearers: Wesley Bernis and Jace Bernis