An Auburn icon, Johhny Richmond also known as Mr. Penny passed away Wednesday, June 11 around 8:30 p.m. at his home under hospice care, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.
According to Harris, the injuries Richmond received from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in Feb. 27, 2012, led to his death.
Richmond served as a crossing guard at Dean Road Elementary School for 37 years greeting children, faculty and parents.
"Mr. Penny had a huge impact on Auburn," Emily Martin, sophomore majoring in industrial and systems engineering said. "Growing up in Auburn, you knew exactly who Mr. Penny was. He wasn't just a regular man. He could put a complete stranger in a good mood by just driving down Dean Road and seeing how happy he was to be walking kids across the sidewalk."
However, Richmond was famous for doing pushups at Auburn University and Auburn High School football games after touchdowns.
"I worked with Mr. Penny in high school and knew he was a glowing light to the community," said Kody Coggin, junior majoring in industrial and systems engineering. "He had the ability of making others happy around him, and he represented the Auburn Family well."
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