Ted C. Pennington, 80, of Beaumont, Texas peacefully went home to his Heavenly Father on Sunday, August 22, 2010.
He was born July 2, 1930 in Port Arthur, Texas to Thomas Charles Pennington and Edith Durham Henning, both of whom preceded him in death.
He called Beaumont his hometown, although his long career in the "bread business" with Rainbo and Colonial Bread moved him and his family across the country to several states as he advanced from Route Salesman to Plant Manager. After almost 30 years in the bread business, Ted was given a new opportunity to sell Mack Trucks in Victoria, Texas and later in Beaumont. At age 62, when most people would think about retiring, Ted made a career change and opened his own insurance business, Pennington and Associates. He enjoyed working with people as an insurance agent, and would never consider retirement. God blessed him with the ability to work in his insurance business until shortly before his passing.
Ted never did anything in a small way, and he put one hundred percent of himself, heart and soul, into everything that he did. He loved life and he lived every day, all day, to the fullest. He loved his family and loved them BIG, and he was blessed with many dear friends that he loved in a big way. His greatest love was God and he reflected that love onto others in his daily life and by his many acts of service and ministry. He dearly loved his country, and he was a passionate patriot.
Ted was a "people person" and he never met a stranger. He was sold on Christ, and like the salesman that he was, he used his "gift of gab" to share what he had found as a Christian with others. Although Ted was frequently in pain for the last 10 years, he never let others know, nor did he let it prevent him from working for and worshipping the Lord. He was an active member of Community Church in Orange, Texas and he truly cherished his church family. For the last 25 years he was a dedicated participant in the Saturday Morning Men's Prayer Breakfast which met at Cathedral in the Pines. He was involved in Promise Keepers, the Walk to Emmaus ministry and the Kairos Prison Ministry, through which he spent many volunteer hours.
Toward the end of his journey, Ted showed his great determination, gratitude for his many blessings, and his spirit of hope and undaunted faith in the midst of suffering. He was a Mighty Man of God and an inspiration to those who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed in all the lives he touched here on earth and we are certain he is already "working the room" and greeting those that he is meeting in heaven.
Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 11 years, Jessie M. Pennington; daughters Katherine Pennington of Victoria, Texas, Dianne Wolfe and Terrie Pennington Rick Magee of Corpus Christi, Texas; his daughters' mother, Marjorie Pennington; grandchildren Eric and David Felts, Travis Pennington, Lauren and John Wolfe; step-children Brenda Adamson and Greg Horan; brothers Bobby LaBorde Sandy, Leon LaBorde, Lonnie Pennington, Doug Pennington Marilyn; sisters Ellarene Farris and Kathy Ashford; his furry companion T.J., cousins, nieces, nephews and his many friends.
A celebration of Ted's life and faith will be held Friday, August 27, 2010 at 11:00 am at Community Church in Orange. A gathering of friends and family will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont.
Friends who wish may direct memorial contributions to Community Church, 3400 N Martin Luther King Dr., Orange, Texas 77630.