Bobby Dean Pankonien, Sr., passed away Monday, January 18, 2021 into the loving arms of the Lord.
Service Information: Graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 26, at China Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., January 25, at Lake Shore Funeral Home. Due to the current COVID-19 mandates, there will be limited capacities.
Bobby Dean Pankonien, Sr., was born January 6, 1944. Bobby grew up in Mart, TX and graduated from Mart high school where he met the love of his life, Sherry Dickinson Pankonien. They were married shortly after graduation and had one son, Bobby “Dean” Pankonien, Jr.
Bobby and Sherry were married 58 years. They moved to Waco where he worked briefly at William Cameron Mills Lumber Company until he found his calling at the Waco Fire Department. He retired after 38 years at the rank of Captain.
Bobby was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Marie Kunkel; father, Bill Pankonien; along with his brothers, Jerry Dale Pankonien and Leslie Wayne Schlemmer.
Survivors include his wife, Sherry of Speegleville; son, Bobby Dean Pankonien, Jr. and wife, Cyndie, of China Spring; four grandchildren, Heather Pankonien Williams and husband, Byron, of Houston, Blake Pankonien, Sr. and wife, Alison, of Valley Mills, Jessica Pankonien Jones and husband, Matt, of China Spring, and Amie Kay Pankonien Gregory and husband, Kris, of Elm Mott; and great-grandchildren, Jarrett, Kamryn, Lil’ Blake, Naomi, Sadie Gray, Kinsley, Kyndal, Bailey Gean and Jackson.
Bobby will be greatly missed by his family.
Pallbearers will be Blake Pankonien, Sr., Matt Jones, Kris Gregory, Clark Crook, Charlie York, Jared Pankonien. Honorary pallbearer will be Byron Williams.
Place of Service: China Spring Cemetery , 15654 Old China Spring Rd,; China Spring, TX 76633
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My heart is heavy for the loss of a great man and the emptiness felt by his loved ones. May GOD lift Bobby to a higher, healthier and more GRACIOUS place where he can watch over you and make a place for you and STILL, as always, occupy a big space in your hearts. RIP Bobby, YOU ARE MISSED
Sherry and family, I am truly sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of Bobbys’ family, as well as all his friends. I know how much he will missed. Cherish the memories.❤😪
I am so sorry for your loss of Bobby. You and your family are in my prayers.
Edwina Manthei
My heart aches from the loss of my favorite cousin and for his family. I am blessed to be a part of his life. Sherry you are the sweetest woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and how lucky I am that Bobby Dean Sr. choose you to be in our crazy family. I pray god gives you back your joy that Bobby so loved and that you know how much he and your son (my other favorite cousin) Dean loves you. And Dean I hope you know you are more than a cousin to me and to all of the Chaney girls, you are like the brother we never had. My prayer for you is to just let God do his miracles within you broker heart. I am sorry for all your families loss each and every one of you. And to Bobby you sir I will never ever forget your smile and how much you made me feel so loved. Never. I love you Bobby, Sherry, and Dean and all those other Pankonien’s
Dang I need to proof read better.
God has plans for Bobby. He is in the Lords presence now. God bless you all and give you comfort and peace . I wish I could attend the services but I am recovering from a vitrectomy. Rest In Peace Bobby.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Stay strong
Shirley Fuller
So sorry for you loss. Much love and many prayers for the family !
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our prayers. As my husband was a Houston firefighter for 40 yrs. we send the brotherhood prayers for yall. cherish his memories…
May the Spirit of the Lord bring you peace and comfort thru this difficult time. Cherish the fond memories always. We love you all.
RiP Bobby thoughts and prayers for sherry and dean we love you!!
So sorry thoughts and prayers with you .RIP Bobby!
Sherry, I have no words to tell you how very sorry I
am for you and your family. He was a sweet man. He loved his family deeply! I pray God grants you peace, comfort, and strength.
Sherry, I am so very sorry for your loss. May his memory be eternal. Love, Steve and Velinda Moody
Sherry, I have know your family for many many years and know that bobby will missed greatly by all who knew him.
Prayers go out daily for you and family and know that the god Lord is looking over you. May ‘peace and understanding follow you all the days of your life.”
Our love and prayers are with you. I know your heart is broken. Bobby is at peace with our Lord waiting for you in heaven. What a wonderful reunion that will be!! Love you.
Sherry, we are so sorry to hear about Bobby Dean’s passing. He was a good man & a good friend. May God hold you tightly during this difficult time. God is with you & your family. We love you!
Chuck & Verna
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family Mrs. Pankonien. It was such a pleasure and blessing to have met you and Mr. Pankonien and get to take care of him. May God’s love bring you peace and comfort.
Amy McDade
Sorry for your loss Dean& Cindy may Jesus comfort you in this time of grief. God Bless
Sherry and Dean I am saddened to hear of your loss. Uncle Bobby was a good man and will be greatly missed.
God bless.
On behalf of the Waco Fire Department, I send deepest condolences to Bobby’s family. Capt. Pank taught me a lot when I was a new firefighter, and I always enjoyed working for him. He was a firefighter of the old school, no doubt, and he had a… well, let’s just say, direct manner of communicating with newbies like me. I admired and respected him, and I trusted him. He could never remember my name, even though I was also a “Bob.” He always called me “Hey Red!” That worked for me. I learned much about the spirit of the fire service from his example, and now I am doing my best to pay it forward to a new generation of firefighters. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know and work for him.
Robert Beechner
Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, Waco Fire Department
It has been a year since Bobby’s passing. It is hard to believe we have not been able to hear his laugh for so long. I am so proud of Sherry his loving wife and his son. I know things will never be the same for the two of you. Sending you a great big hug and lots of love. Take care of one of another.