Ellen, please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I did have the pleasure of working with John there at Bldg 2, Fort Bliss. As many people have stated in your guest book, he was a very cool, calm and collect person in a many times stressful environment. It was in these stressful times that his collect mannerism rubbed off and had a calming effect on the folks working around him. He will be missed!
Take care and may God bless you and your family.

My condolences go out to Ms Penington (Ellen) and the rest of the family.  My prayers are with you and the family.  I worked for John in the early 90's (91 to93) and he is still at the top of my ‘best supervisor list'.  I still tell people about why I think he was such a great supervisor/leader.  I judge supervisors/leaders to this day by the benchmarks that he exuded.  Whenever I would be back in El Paso, I would always stop by to see him and his welcoming smile.  I will miss me former supervisor and friend.

John, my best memories are of us putting last minute project plans together.  Then devising a way to execute contracts at year end. Everyone could and did count on you.   

You were such a wonderful man, always smiling,and always willing to help.  

God is with you.  

Colleen Burns (former Ft Bliss employee)

Ellen, I am so sorry for your loss. I just found out Friday at the USASMA social. Steve Chase told those of us who worked or were an actual Air Defender. Such a sad situation. God Bless you and your family durning this trying time. Richard L. Philpott Jr.

Ellen, Evie and Pennington family,

Steve and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy on your loss.  Ellen, you and John were two of the corner stones for the EPGSD club.  Without you and the Stone family I doubt if we would be where we are today. John will surely be missed.  Not just as the President of the club but also as a friend.

Sincerely,

Gina and Steve Stephens

It's hard to belive Uncle Johnny is with grandpa now,seems like yesterday when I was a kid on his lap.I missed you before but will miss you even more now...Aunt Ellen my heart goes out to you and the kids. Love you always

"Our condolences and prayers are with you and your loved ones" 
Sandoval Family

Ellen, what a tragedy. You have my condolences. John was not only a great friend, but was also a great boss. He was always willing to listen to my hair brained ideas, politely. He had such patience, especially during the relocation process. He will be missed

Ellen & Family,

Leslie & I were greatly saddened to learn of John's passing.  He was a wonderful friend and colleague who always put the needs of others ahead of his own.  We are all better people because John touched our lives...we will miss him dearly.  Please accept our most heartfelt prayers during this difficult time and know that you and your family will be in our thoughts.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ellen, I worked with John on and off the whole time I worked in the ADA School.  I was so sorry hear of his too early death.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Carol Hedicke

Ellen & Family, please accept our deepest sympathy.  May God bless and comfort you.  John will be sorely missed and always remembered.

Mr. Pennington,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your years of dedicated service and sacrifice for our Country-first when you served in the U.S. Army and secondly with the Civil Service. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Dear Ellen and Family,
When I returned to Fort Bliss in 1996, after last serving there in 1978, John was one of the key advisors I relied on to keep things in perspective in the ADA School house. He knew how to take care of the mission and take care of people.  My sincere condolences on your loss. I echo Kathy Doyle's comments...in Texas slang, "John knew how to git ur dun". Building the distant learning classrooms, bringing the truck driving course to Fort Bliss, and probably the largest project, relocating the ADA School to Fort Sill...all and many more projects with little guidance, he knew how to translate vision into reality.
Ron Ouellette
Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

Dear Ellen and Family, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of John.  I considered John a great friend and colleague.  I was, and will be, always impressed by his sense of calm in the most challenging situations, and by his breadth of knowledge and insights into so many diverse activities.  God Bless you and your family.

I first met John at dog shows and then I got to know him better as his family was one of just a few that got the El Paso German Shepherd Dog Club up and running again.  He was a good man, and it such a shame to lose him so early in life.  Our hearts and sympathies go out to his family, especially those closest to him, Ellen and Evie.

Ellen, Evie and family

John was a special person to all of us who were lucky enough to shared the love of German Shepherd Dogs and the fun of showing.  John was steady as we steered our way though all the bumps of reactivating the GSD Club. We know he fought pain the last days of helping to put together all the show materials.  We were sad that he didn't get to attend the show, but happy that we were able to phone him after the Saturday show to tell him how great everything went and to thank him for all his work. John will always have a place in our hearts

At Fort Bliss, I worked with John and for John, and he was a delightful fellow employee and boss. He had more common sense than most people, and he was a fair, wise, and compassionate man. He was my boss when I was the ADA Historian. 

His love of his family was always evident.  I remember the time he brought Baby Evelyn to the office---she was a beautiful baby, and she looked just like John, without the moustache!  Ellen, you and your family have my deepest sympathy.

Ellen ... words escape me to convey to you my deepest sympathy.  John was a great supervisor to me and a dear friend as well.  May the love of your friends and family surround you and fill your heart as you journey down this new road.  I know that the road ahead will bring you many ups and downs but know that John's love and presence will always be with you.

Ellen, I was so glad I was able to come to see you and John when I did. I wish I could be there now. I think of you and kids constantly. He was a wonderful brother, I only wish we could have seen each other more.

Dear Ellen & Family, Your loss has touched our hearts deeply.  So shocking to learn that such a vital, loving and compassionate man has been taken so suddenly.  We know your heart is breaking and you are overwhelmed with grief. John touched a lot of people over the years.  He treated all people equally whether "privates" or "generals".  He left a legacy at the Air Defense School which will serve as a model for all to emulate. He will be greatly missed by you, his family, friends and collegues.  May loving memories sustain you through this most heartbreaking time.  Love and Sympathy, John and Lois

Ellen, my deepest sympathy to you and your Family. John will surely be missed by all of the Air Defeder's here at Fort Sill OK.
Jim Kumm, Lawton, OK

Ellen, my heart goes out to you and your family during this time.  John touched so many lives and he will be remembered by many.  I will remember him as being a great person to have worked for.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Ellen & Family,
Deepest condolences on your loss.  Mr. John was a guide and mentor for all who knew him.  He will be greatly missed by everyone and expecially by you and the family.  May he rest in peace with the Lord.  Sincerely, Linda Sovocool (TCM AAMDC, Ft Sill, OK)

Ellen & Family,
     My deepest condolences on your loss. John was always a steady guide in a tumultuous sea during the onset and completion of the move of USAADASCH to Fort Sill. He was the honest broker and calming mentor that looked out for us all. It is with deepest gratitude that you shared him with us ... he will be missed by us all! With a heavy heart I wish him lasting comfort in the arms of the Almighty. Sincerely ~ Kathy Doyle (OCADA, Fort Sill, OK)

OBITUARY

John E. Penington

June 12, 1953 – November 16, 2011

Funeraria del Angel Restlawn

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services