John Penton has crossed the finish line !

[Paul Danik]

From Jack Penton.

John Penton arrived at the finish line this morning after a long and amazing life. I am happy he passed peacefully after enjoying his 100th Birthday with so many that loved him and appreciated his contributions to our lives.
Got speed Dad.

[Daniel P. McEntee]

  It's completely outstanding that John zeroed that final check and made it to 100 years, and that he was able to share it with all of us. JP was already a legend back when I was riding my '72 125 Six Days in local enduros, and then I took along break from riding to start a career and a family and re-entered the world of dirt bikes at the start of the vintage movement at the 2000 USDTRR event at Cass, AR. And who was the first person I got to meet that first morning? John Penton , who was sitting under an Ez-Up with Kevin LaVoie. I feel very honored and fortunate to have been able to meet and talk with John on several occasions through the following years, even getting to sit on a rock next to him at a ISDTRR event at Park Hills, and share a beer with him, and watch the grass track races. I wanted to ask him to sign the tank on the 125 Six Days I had at the time and rode to where he was sitting with Al Born, I think it was, and as I rode up he commanded, "Shut that noisy thing off, have a beer and sit down!"  Who am I to refuse an invite like that! I still can't believe that happened. In the following years after that first meeting at Cass, AR, I got to learn more about John and his incredible life story through Ed Youngblood's book and then Todd Huffman's movie, and those great speeches that he made at the Reunion Ride banquets, that the only word I can think of to describe JP is "Indescribable!" The scope of his influence and impact on the motorcycle industry as a rider and business man, and also as an outstanding human being, just pushes the limits on how to put it all into words. He will be remembered and revered forever. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Jack, Jeff, Tom, and the entire Penton Family and John closest friends.
 
  Sincerely,
  Dan McEntee

[Jkerr1]

Godspeed John!   You will be surely missed!
Because of you I have met some truly wonderful people!  Thank you for everything!   Prayers to everyone!  Jeff K

[Big Mac]

🏆 Godspeed John Penton. What an incredible life and legacy!

[paul arthur busick]

                                                                                                                   I give you my most sincere condolences to you Jack and all of the PENTON family. I have known JP many years and have admired him for all the contributions that he has made to the motorcycle community.  I can only hope that St. Peter rang a cow bell when John crossed over his last check point.   Paul "Art" Busick

[Don Roth]

Proud to say I shook his hand, may we all have the same chutzpa.

[Fred Deagostino]

 Somewhat late having just gotten the news. I would like to express my condolences to the Penton family and to all  who held John close.  Fred Deagostino (V416)