James “Jim” Larue Pentz, 83, formerly of Vero Beach, passed away in Lansdale, Penn., and walked through the Pearly Gates into Heaven, leaving his wheelchair behind. His long struggle with Alzheimer Disease is at last over.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jane (Friel); daughters Rosanne (John) Martin and Susanne (Carl) Snyder; six grandchildren, Kyle (Jaime) Snyder, Laura (Mike) Monte, John Martin III, Julie Martin, Paige Martin and Sarah Martin; four great-grandchildren, Abby Rose and Alexis Snyder and Hunter and Harper Monte; and his sister-in-law Irene Miller.
Pentz was born in Collingswood, N.J., on Feb. 9, 1931. He grew up in Woodlynne, N.J., and graduated from Collingswood High School with the class of 1950. After his marriage to Mary Jane (Friel) in 1952 they lived in Voorhees, N.J., for more than 30 years. During those years, as a member of Ashland Evangelic Presbyterian Church, he served as trustee, Deacon, Elder, Usher, President of Men’s Fellowship, Christian Endeavor Leader, Sunday School teacher, founder and printer of the Sunday School Newsletter (The Sunday School Scroll) and he also drove the Church bus.
He retired from New Jersey Bell Telephone after more than 33 years in 1986 and retired to Florida. During his working years he was active in the Telephone Pioneers, especially working with the Marine Stranding Center and Special Olympics. He also was President of the employee’s credit union, 609 Area Federal Credit Union, for more than 20 years.
He and his wife traveled frequently during their 25 years living in Florida, preferring boat trips on American rivers. Pentz’s favorite trip was on the Missouri River. He served for a time as a representative for AARP covering several Florida counties, as President of the Homeowners Association and also of the AARP Chapter in their community, Spanish Lakes Country Club Village.
He was also an usher at Community Church of Vero Beach, and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity until his illness made it impossible.
Cremains will be placed in the Memorial Garden at Community Church, Vero Beach, at a later date. A memorial service will be held at Brittany Pointe Estates in Lansdale on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. Memorial Donations in Jim’s name can be made to Caring Hospice, 400 Commerce Drive, Suite C, Fort Washington, PA 19034. www.maugergivnish.com.
