By Jeremy Peppas
Stephens Media

NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Longtime banking executive Mark Pennebaker of North Little Rock has died.

Pennebaker, senior vice president at Bank of the Ozarks, died Monday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where he was vacationing with his wife, Kristi. He was 51.

“Mark was always the light of the party. Jolly is the word that comes to mind,” said Steve Wells of North Little Rock, a friend of Pennebaker since high school. “He just lived life with an unbridled optimism … he was a blazing star of happiness.”

“You can’t write enough good words about him,” added Terry Hartwick, president of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Pennebaker was a senior vice president at the Bank of the Ozarks and treasurer of the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce board.

“He was a good friend,” Hartwick said. “His loss is touching a lot of people.”
Wells said Pennebaker also was heavily involved with his church, Immaculate Conception in North Little Rock. His two children also attended school there.

Pennebaker moved to North Little Rock in 1971 when his father, Kenneth, went to work for the original Twin City Bank. Pennebaker joined Bank of the Ozarks in 1996.

“He loved the Lord, life, laughter, his family, friends and community,” Bank of the Ozarks CEO George Gleason said. “He embraced everyone with his generous spirit and loyal friendship. His professional accomplishments are enormous, but we will remember Mark most as a valued friend and man of robust character.”

Pennebaker is survived by his wife; two children, Layne and Paige; his mother, Patricia Pennebaker of North Little Rock; brother Bryan of Fort Worth, Texas; sisters Mary Pennebaker of North Little Rock and Laura Eppley of Rogers; nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements were pending today with North Little Rock Funeral Home.