Vernon "Penny" Pennington, 96, of Orange, died Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at his home.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010, at Faith United Methodist Church in Orange with Reverend Kevin Kissel officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Vernon was born in Remlig, Texas on January 30, 1914. He was the son of E.W. and Massie Wilkinson Pennington. He was married to Wilma Burdine for 66 years. He graduated from Orange High School. He and his wife, Wilma, operated Orange Furniture Company.
Vernon retired from Levingston Shipyard where he worked as a marine electrician and superintendent of repair for 40 years. Vernon was a founding member of Faith United Methodist Church in Orange and was proud to be involved in the establishment of this new church.
Vernon was a former member of Orange Lions Club and a current member of Orange Golden K's, Kiwanis. He was proud to be a vital, active person until a week before his death at the age of 96. He could be seen driving his little blue truck around town to pay his bills, visit friends and to attend the Silver Sneakers exercise class. He enjoyed wood working, which included a major project of building a Victorian gazebo, carving herons and turning pens with his lathe.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma; parents; two brothers, and two sisters.
Vernon is survived by his son, Jerry V. Pennington and his wife, Susan of Orange; and daughter, Carolyn Trundle and her husband, Ed of Dunwoody, Georgia.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Letha and Colin Mathews, Drew and Natasha Pennington, Kenneth and Ellen Wiemers, Melanie and Danny Thevis, Robert Trundle, and Laura Trundle; and great-grandchildren, Kendyl Pennington, Korbin Pennington, Aiyla Mathews, Bradley Thevis and Tyler Thevis.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Gary Wayne Mulhollan, Ebb Moore, Dave Field, Toney Miller, Dal Moreau and Earl Geis.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church, 8608 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Orange, Texas, 409 886-1291.