Gentle Giant: Tate Aggies Mourn Loss Of Coach

March 10, 2013

The Tate Aggies are mourning the loss of one of their own today.

Branden Penegar, 20, passed away Saturday. A 2011 graduate of Tate, he was an assistant coach for the freshman Aggies’ football program and varsity tennis team. He was know to his players as the “Gentle Giant”. Penegar was a member of the Tate High School Student Hall of Fame.

“Coach Penegar, we all love you and words simply can not express how you will be missed,” a tribute on the front page of TateFootball.com read Saturday night. “God’s football team has one heck of a good guy now.”

Penegar was a active member of the Gonzalez United Methodist Church and youth program.

He is survived by Elbert and Tammie Penegar, brother Tyler and numerous other family members  and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Chapel North at 1000 South Highway 29 in Cantonment. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 14 at 12:30 p.m. at the Gonzalez Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Cottage Hill Baptist Cemetery at 230 Williams Ditch Road in Cantonment.

Comments

27 Responses to “Gentle Giant: Tate Aggies Mourn Loss Of Coach”

  1. Lisa Newsom on March 12th, 2013 1:45 pm

    I am so saddened to hear of this loss. I had the privilege of teaching Branden while he attended Ransom Middle School. He was a sweet and respectful young man who was a role model to those around him. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

  2. Stephanie Lopez on March 11th, 2013 10:30 pm

    I feel so very bad for the family!! I know Ms. Nora,the grandmother, she is my neighbor!!! I met Brandon at his grandmothers house . I lift you all up in my prayers.

  3. Sbeila Williams on March 11th, 2013 8:30 pm

    Words can’t express how we all feel.. Tammie and the Penegar family are in our thoughts and prayers. The Tate family has lost another fine young man he is in heaven now with Dillon
    I.know that Jesus has you all wrapped in his arms now. He will be missed but not forgotten. The Williams family

  4. Marian Shaw on March 11th, 2013 7:47 pm

    TK,

    I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to all of you. I pray that God gives you the strength to endure the days to come.

    Love,
    Smitty

  5. Brittany Bridges on March 11th, 2013 1:44 pm

    Class of 2011 will miss you as well as the ones that you coached along with your family.. You were an amazing man. You were sweet, genourous, and soo much more. I still remember when we rode the bus together..me, you and your brother.. I will never forget those times.. R.I.P. Branden… <3

    c/o 2011 !!!!

  6. the Lambert. Family on March 11th, 2013 1:20 pm

    We are neighbors and my daughter went to middle and high school with the boys. They are very nice people.our hearts go out to them. Praying for you all!

  7. melissa on March 11th, 2013 1:07 pm

    Branden will be always in our hearts. He has touched so many lives with his kindness and laughter, I will miss seeing him outside waving somedays when my bus goes by his house. My prayers will always be there for all his family and friends. Heaven has a wonderful young man that will now be watching over all who loved him.

  8. Mike McManus on March 11th, 2013 10:12 am

    I as a friend to Tammie for many years was blessed to know Branden. No matter what I did to help or work on the family home, he was there striving to learn and help. He was always polite and well mannered, The world suffered a great loss when he left us. Watch over your mom Branden!

  9. Mike Flounlacker on March 11th, 2013 9:00 am

    I never met this young man but as a father of two boys he is the kind of guy I would want them spending time with. I’m sorry for your loss.

  10. Robb Whitfield on March 11th, 2013 8:49 am

    our condolences go out to the Penegar family, from the coaches at West Florida Oigh. A lot of us over here either coached him, or were on the same staffs with him when we were all still at Tate. He will be missed.

  11. synda harris on March 11th, 2013 12:39 am

    Branden was such a great guy he graduated with me. I had a class with him i was bullied alot when i first moved to tate he was always so nice to me.

  12. Bert Penegar on March 10th, 2013 11:50 pm

    Thank you North Escambia. I am blessed to call Branden is my son, partner, best friend, and hero. Thank you all for your kind words and support. He is a Great Man and friend to all he mets. He is with his Papa, that I’m sure. I love him and always will. Branden I miss you more than I can every express. You are my Gentle Gaint. Love ya, Dad

  13. Billy Glen Howard Jr on March 10th, 2013 8:50 pm

    What a tragedy to lose someone like WE lost Saturday morning. Our loss is HEAVENS gain….as a parent we worry about the friends our kids choose to be friends with…never once did I worry about Kyle having Branden as a friend or Tyler as well…my heart cries in pain for Bert, Tammie and Tyler…a GREAT FAMILY. AGGIE NATION will forever be void of that infectious smile….RIP BP…..your presence within each of us will forever live on

  14. Robbie Ross on March 10th, 2013 4:26 pm

    Had the pleasure of meeting Brandon this past Christmas while visiting my brother Chip. I will always remember the night we went bowling. In the time I spent with Brandon he always had a smile. But more than that he made those around him smile. May your pain be eased by knowing Brandon will be able to watch over those of us left here on earth until the day we too are called to be with him again.

  15. Pat Palmer on March 10th, 2013 4:20 pm

    We never lose the people we love. They live the rest of our lives with us in our heart. I’m sure Branden was greeted by his Grandfather, Frankie.

  16. Denise E on March 10th, 2013 4:14 pm

    Words cannot express the sadness in my heart for this family, but I’m very thankful knowing that they had assurance of where he will spend eternity. What a blessing to be able to KNOW that you KNOW that your son is in the prescence of an Almighty God!!!! Continuing to remember you all in my prayers.

  17. CANTONMENT MAFIA on March 10th, 2013 2:52 pm

    EVERYONE THAT KNEW THIS YOUNG MAN WAS BETTER OFF FOR IT!!!!! HE WAS SO HAPPY , RESPECTFUL AND A JOY !!!!! HE WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED !!!!!! HE IS A TRUE TATE LEGEND!!!!!!!!

  18. Charlie Hamrick on March 10th, 2013 12:31 pm

    Words can not express the loss the Aggie family has suffered. Mr. and Mrs Penegar – may God wrap His loving arms around you and your family. May His grace bless and keep you through this difficult time.

    Branden Penegar – “BP”, aka “Biggin”, aka “Friend”, aka “Coach”. I (we) call ourselves blessed to have had the honor of knowing and being around you. Your laugh was contagious to say the least! Always a smile, always upbeat, always ready and willing to do whatever needed to be done.

    BP, a Coach to many, a friend to all, and a son who will be missed….

    If I know Branden, he is full of energy and he is beholding the face of Him who sits on the throne… wow – you go Branden !!

    With deepest respect and love…. The Hamrick Family

  19. Ms. Avery on March 10th, 2013 10:42 am

    I had the privilege of teaching Brandon in 8th Grade. I remember his delightful personality and laughter. He always had a positive, gentle attitude. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. ~ Angela Avery

  20. Kathleen Varner on March 10th, 2013 9:06 am

    Branden was In my homeroom during his high school years. I knew him as a gentle respectful young man, and I am so saddened to hear of his death. I will keep his family in my prayers. God’s peace be with you.
    Mrs. Varner

  21. K.howard on March 10th, 2013 7:33 am

    Missing you biggin! Keep it rowdy up there !

  22. Lisa Daugherty on March 10th, 2013 7:29 am

    Tammie and family. My prayers are with you, and thoughts of comfort during this time and always. Hugs for you.

  23. Wendy Meredith on March 10th, 2013 6:59 am

    My heart is breaking today!!! Tammie is one of my very best friends and a wonderful lady, she raised an amazing young man!!! I had the honor of being Branden’s Sunday school teacher for 5 years and also his substitute teacher numerous times at Tate High School. I’m thankful that my family had so many good times with Branden, he was always laughing and smiling!!! Branden was a GREAT kid and a WONDERFUL young man!!!! RIP “BP” we will always remember your gentle ways and infectious SMILE!!!

  24. DS162 on March 10th, 2013 6:27 am

    It would be 5 O’Clock and time to pick my boys up at Tate because they stayed after to workout with “Penegar”. I would sit on the hill and watch a bunch of O Linemen running around playing backyard football on the stadium field and in the middle of it was Coach Penegar. Big Ole Penegar going out for a pass and trying to fake off the defender to get open. It was fun to watch! Mr. and Mrs. Penegar you raised a good young man and he will be missed by two young players who he helped get better at a game he loved.

  25. Chip Ross on March 10th, 2013 6:20 am

    Branden’s heart required a large body to carry it. Those of us lucky enough to be in his presence know how much fun he brought to every event. Though we’re spread across the country right now, from Miami, Ft. Hood, and Twenty-nine Palms, the Ross family send our deepest sympathy to the Penegars. Our hearts are broken but we are thankful for the time God allowed Branden to spend with us.

  26. 429SCJ on March 10th, 2013 3:13 am

    Tammi and Miz Knowles you are in our thoughts and prayers.

  27. Kim B on March 10th, 2013 2:38 am

    I graduated with Rhonda and know Tammy and their Mom from visiting my store. A wonderful family. My heart is broken. There are no words to say at a time like this. I just want to wrap your whole family in prayer.