Wesley O’Neal (Neal) Pennington passed away peacefully from complications due to a stroke, on Tuesday, November 22nd at the age of 95. He was born on October 14, 1927, at home in Cline, TX to Edgar Eugene and Olivia Pennington (Wolff). His passing is one month and 12 hours after he lost his beloved wife, Jennie.
Neal’s family moved around south Texas as his parents were transferred to railroad towns. They settled in Poth in the late 1930s.
Neal left high school at the age of 17 and joined the US Navy in February of 1945, serving in Hawthorn, Nebraska, San Diego, CA, and Kodiak, AK. He was a seaman assigned to the torpedo unit, being honorably discharged October 3, 1949.
He married the love of his life Jennie Lee Weller on April 19, 1953. They had two children and were married for 69 years.
Neal started working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1951 in San Antonio. After transferring to Victoria and Sinton, they arrived in Austin in 1966. He worked climbing telephone poles, repairing lines, installing telephones, and installing/repairing pbx systems in businesses for 38 years, including Hurricanes Carla, Beulah, and Celia. He loved riding his motorcycle to work for many years.
He followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by being a photographer. He had a darkroom in their Victoria home developing and printing black and white film and photos. He took many family photographs and added video when the granddaughters were born. He passed the Pennington photography passion to his daughter, Carol.
Neal joined the Faith Lutheran Church Scout Troop Post 47 in 1974. He was a committee man working with Scout Leader Pat Roth and other committee men Joe Kump, Oliver Johnson, and Johnnie Mogonye. He was with Post 47 as they changed focus from Explorer Ranger to Sea Scouts to High Adventure. He climbed Baldy Mountain at Philmont at age 65. He and Johnnie also worked summers at Camp Tahuaya in Belton. He received the Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge Award, the Church Award and the Vigil Honor Member of the Order of the Arrow, the highest honor that the Order of the Arrow can bestow upon its members for service to lodge, council, and Scouting.
He was also part of the Nuts and Bolts group at Faith Lutheran Church for many years, fixing what needed fixing around the church.
Neal and Jennie traveled all over the United States in their fifth wheel RV. He would have loved to be a full-timer. When they weren’t RVing, they were traveling using their time share to California, Branson, Germany, Mustang Island, and many other fun places. He loved to go country western dancing with Jennie and all their friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Olivia Pennington, wife Jennie, brother Eugene, and sister Martha.
Neal is survived by his daughter Carol Pennington of Manchaca, TX, son Mark Pennington and wife Allyson of Keller, TX, granddaughters Sydney Pennington of College Station, TX and Katie Pennington of West Palm Beach, FL.; sister Bettie Baring of Houston, brother Frank Pennington and wife Alfreda of San Antonio, brother-in-law, Gordon Weller and wife Theresa of Coushatta, LA, sister-in-law, Marilyn Yosko and husband John of San Antonio; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
The family would like to thank The Philomena in Kyle for all the care they provided in the Memory Care section. They would also like to thank Aspen Hospice for the wonderful extra care provided to Neal. You are all special people.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 14 at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 6600 Woodrow Ave., Austin, TX. Burial will take place at 4:00 at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Poth, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Faith Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choosing.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Pennington family.
