John Samuel Pennington Sr.

After pushing death away numerous times the huge, always giving and loving heart of John Samuel Pennington, Sr. finally wore out and he laid down is working tools and journeyed to that celestial lodge above on July 26, 2025.

John was born in Nashville, TN to John and Emmaline Pennington on March 22, 1941. He went to school in Antioch, TN. He married Carol Ann Ewing on August 17, 1960; they welcomed three wonderful children into this world. He married Dana Knox on September 2, 2005, after having been part of her and her children’s lives for many years. John moved his family from Tennessee to Las Vegas in 1968 and worked at the Nevada Test Site for Bechtel Nevada from 1968 through 2004, retiring after 35 years of service.

John was a dedicated Freemason, joining September 16, 1967, rising to the highest rank as a 33° Mason. He served as Potentate of Zelzah Shrine in 2003, Director of Las Vegas Ct. 181 in 2008, and Master of Sandy Valley Lodge in 2009 and 2014. He was also Almoner of Las Vegas Valley Scottish Rite and a York Rite Mason. He was bestowed the distinguished honor of the Imperial Potentate’s Award of Merit in 2019 for his life-long outstanding achievements and selfless contributions to Shriner’s International and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

John is survived by his spouse Dana Pennington, his former spouse Carol Ann Ewing, his children Cae (Brad) Swanger, John Samuel (Jane) Pennington, Jr., Johnna (Frank) Pereyda, and Julie (Montana Williams) Woodward, his grandchildren John Stephen (Kayla) Pennington, Brittany (Emilo) Perez, Brett Williams, Kelsey Woodward, Bridger (Lauren) Pennington, Dana (Matthew) Hernandez, Olivia Pereyda, and eleven great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his son Jason Knox, his parents, his sister Mary Emma Pennington, and grandson Bo Pennington.

The pallbearers are Phil Pupanek, John S. Pennington, Jr., John Steven Pennington, Bridger Pennington, Montana Williams, Brett Williams, and Matthew Hernandez. Our entire family is grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends, and so many fraternal brothers.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00 AM on August 8, 2025, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, in the French Quarter Ballroom in Las Vegas, NV. Masonic rites will be officiated by Most Worshipful David O. Martinez, Past Grand Master. Burial to follow at Palm Northwest Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Zelzah Shrine Transportation Fund. https://zelzahshrine.org/pay/