Carl Dean Pense

Carl Dean Pense, 77, of Cedar Park, passed through the gates of heaven and went to his eternal home on Thursday, Sept 26, 2013. Born in Dumont, Texas (tiny town east of Lubbock), Carl grew up in a family of 10 children. At the tender age of 5, his family moved to the Rio Grande Valley where he grew up on a humble little farm in San Benito, Texas and enjoyed an orchard of oranges and grapefruit, about 15 acres of cotton, a full garden for nourishment and a tank that would fill up every time it rained. At the age of 18, he moved to Midland, Texas where he lived until he and his wife, Priscilla, moved to Central Texas in 1972. In his young adult years, Carl dedicated his time to coaching his son’s T-ball, soccer, and baseball teams along with assisting his daughter’s softball teams. He loved being outside: camping, mowing the grass, listening to Willie on the radio, watching his children play in the pool (along with the entire neighborhood) and he did most of this while he cooked dinner on the grill EVERY Summer weekend. Dad started his career in the telecommunications industry as a telephone lineman for Southwestern Bell where he would develop some long-lasting friendships. After 25 years, he retired from SWBT/AT&T in 1983. In 1988, unsuccessfully attempting retirement, he worked for Texas Rehabilitation Commission and then finally moved to Temple where he took care of the telephone system at Scott & White Hospital and successfully retired in 1999. Carl was preceded in death by his dad, Charlie Pense (one of the last real cowboys) and his mom, Martha Cora Hassel Pense (full blooded Blackfoot tribe of the Cherokee Indian Nation) 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Surviving him and missing him dearly are his devoted son, Phillip Pense, who Carl lived with for the last 9 years, his daughter, Christi Kendrick, son-in-law, Collin Kendrick, former wife, Priscilla Barber Pense (whom he was married to for 27 years and, in spite of a divorce, they continued to have a heart for one another), and his grandchildren; Gracen Seiler, Aubrey Seiler, step grandchildren Ashley Sturdivant, Courtney Kendrick and great step-grandchildren; Ava & Aiden Sturdivant. Other survivors are his sister, Patsy Theople Pense and his niece and nephews, Charlsea Spinks of Del Rio, Texas, Milton Moody of Kerrville, Texas and Carroll Moody of San Angelo, Texas, and who were more like his sister and brothers than niece and nephews. Also surviving Carl are sister in law and her husband, Beverly and Mike Maxwell and a numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to say thank you to Cedar Park Hospital who helped coordinate hospice care, Hospice Austin (especially nurse Lisa, coordinator Carmen, Chaplin Dub & volunteer Miguel) who showed us great compassion and an extra special person, Jerry Richman. Jerry was Dad’s caregiver who helped us care for Carl during the weekdays, weekends, and nights or WHENEVER we needed and called on him. Jerry is an angel sent to us specifically for Dad. He cared for and loved Dad like we did. Jerry is now a part of our family and we will never be able to repay him for the tremendous amount of support he dedicated to Dad. Dad, you can finally walk on your own again and hang out with Grandpa, Aunt Dian and Uncle Kent. Kiss Jesus for us and tell Johnny Cash we said hello! A celebration of Carl’s life will be held at his daughter’s home 3102 Pepper Grass Trail, Cedar Park, Tx 78613 on what would have been Dad’s 78th birthday, Oct 6 at 2:00 p.m. Come eat Dad’s favorites (ribs & Red Velvet cake) and share your best Carl story with friends and family. In honor of Dad, on the big screens we’ll have The PGA President’s Cup, some Dallas Cowboy’s football and a loop of our favorite pics, young and old.

Carl Dean Pense

October 6, 1935 - September 26, 2013