Chris Penn, head of East Dallas’ Good Records store, passed away April 23 after suffering a traumatic injury earlier this year.
On March 20, the Good Records Facebook account reported that Penn fell on his back while taking down decals at the store a few days earlier. This fall exacerbated spine and back issues that Penn already had. His spinal cord was bruised in the accident, and he was paralyzed from the neck down.
A letter from Penn’s wife, Jenn, was posted to the Good Records’ Facebook page on April 24 and announced that Penn had passed away.
“His injuries were just too great for his ravaged body to continue,” her letter reads. “These are the hardest words I have ever had to write, to witness and process. My kids have lost their father, I lost my partner of 21 years, his brother has lost his hero, many have lost a dear friend and Dallas has lost a treasure. His bravery, his beauty, his love was unwavering until the end and that is something I will always carry with me. The entire ICU floor at Baylor shared in our grief. From his favorite nurses, Whitley and Dagi, to the overnight ICU doc that was so influenced by Chris he picked up his guitar after years and serenaded us during some difficult nights … he charmed and genuinely befriended everyone in his 36 days there. And that should surprise no one. Chris was an incredible force of nature, and his heart always seemed to have room for more connection … more love … more friendships. That is who Chris was. That will be his legacy for our kids.”
Jenn thanked the community for their support and said a benefit concert is in the works.
Screenshot of GoFundMe page for Chris Penn of East Dallas’ Good Records.
A GoFundMe page was previously set up to support Chris Penn and his family after his injury. That fundraiser is still active and has raised $202,724 as of 5:53 p.m. April 24. Click here to donate.
