Rites held for retired educator Percy Pentecost Jr.
The Dallas Morning News - Wednesday, August 13, 1997
Services were Tuesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Carrollton for retired educator Percy Munnerlyn Pentecost Jr. Dr. Pentecost, 73, died Friday of complications from heart disease at his home in Farmers Branch .

After holding administrative positions in Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama, Dr. Pentecost become assistant superintendent of curriculum for the Carrollton- Farmers Branch schools in 1972.

From 1977 to 1981, Dr. Pentecost was director of the Eighth Grade Center at Newman Smith High School. His next position was as principal of North Carrollton Junior High until 1985. The year prior to his 1986 retirement, Dr. Pentecost wrote a history of the school district.

Born in Gadsden, Ala., Dr. Pentecost earned his bachelor's degree at Barry College in Miami.

Dr. Pentecost worked his way through graduate school at both Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee. He served as interim band director for two years at the former and received his master's degree in history at the latter. He earned his doctorate in education at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Pentecost had high moral and ethical standards, which he often delivered with a sense of humor, said his son, Percy M. Pentecost III, of Denver.

Once, as principal of John Marshall High School in Richmond, Va., Dr. Pentecost happened upon a group of students shooting craps in a boys' restroom. At the time, the school was being integrated and had a tense atmosphere.

"He collected the money and told them it would be donated to the NAACP and walked out," his son said. "None of them believed him, until he put the receipt for the donation on the bulletin board the next day. " Dr. Pentecost was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder. He also past president of the Metrocrest Medical Foundation, a national director of the Florida Jaycees and past president of the Carrollton- Farmers Branch Rotary Club.

Active in Scouting for 19 years, Dr. Pentecost was a district chairman in the Boy Scouts of America, which awarded him the Silver Beaver award for his efforts.

In addition to his son, Dr. Pentecost is survived by his wife, Christine Pentecost of Farmers Branch ; a daughter, Laura Rollins of Boston; another son, Thomas B. Pentecost of Fort Worth; a sister, Martha Weatherford of Hattiesburg, Miss.; and two grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America, 8605 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75235.

Dallas Morning News - Aug 13, 1997
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams