Wade Hampton Penny

Wade Hampton Penny, Jr., 85 years old, died at home on November 21, 2021. He was born in Durham, NC on January 28, 1936, to Pauline Browne Penny and Wade H. Penny. He was a lifelong resident of Durham, graduating from Durham High School (1953), Duke University (1957), and Duke Law School (1960.) His North Carolina roots mattered greatly to him.

Proud and supportive of his family, Wade was married to his Duke sweetheart, Carolyn Ketner Penny, for 65 years. She survives him, as do his four children, Wade H. Penny III (Jean Conover), David M. Penny (Cristy Penny), Carolyn L. Penny (Gregory Miller), and Michael G. Penny (Marcia Penny.) He was also immensely proud of his five grandchildren, all of whom survive him, Ryan Penny, Christopher Penny, Colleen Penny, Dylan Penny, and Connor Penny. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald M. Penny.

Wade practiced civil and criminal law in Durham, through a shared or solo law office from 1961 to 1970. In that time, he had his greatest legal achievement, arguing and winning before the U.S. Supreme Court the case of Klopfer v. North Carolina, a case that arose out of a civil rights demonstration in Chapel Hill, NC in January 1963. 

Wade worked in leadership roles in the Penny family retail furniture and property rental businesses. These businesses served customers in downtown Durham for almost 70 years.

A dedicated public servant, Wade represented Durham County for two terms in the House of Representatives in the 1967 and 1969 sessions of the General Assembly. In 1975, he was elected to a four-year term on the Durham City Council, serving as chair of the Finance Committee the final two years.

Wade felt a strong connection to rural North Carolina from his childhood and enjoyed many outdoor activities such as walking through the woods, driving his tractor to maintain his land, visiting the North Carolina coast to fish, and simply sitting outside with Carolyn to admire the views and watch leaves change around his field in the fall. He excelled as an armchair coach for Duke basketball and football from his living room. Wade was a kind soul who helped vulnerable box turtles cross the road and practiced generosity without seeking recognition.

Strong environmentalists and stewards of the land, Carolyn and Wade placed a conservation easement on property near New Hope Creek in 2006 to benefit open space, natural, and agricultural resources. Their efforts have preserved a significant piece of land in Durham and Orange Counties.

Wade cherished his Scottish ancestry. He served as President of the North Carolina Scottish Heritage Society for twelve years. He enjoyed several trips to Scotland with his wife and other family members.

A celebration of life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Triangle Land Conservancy (triangleland.org/give/other-ways-to-give/in-honor-and-memorial-gifts) or the Durham Rescue Mission (durhamrescuemission.org/ways-to-help/tribute-gifts/.) Online condolences may be offered at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services (hallwynne.com/obituaries/obituary-listings.)