Mark and I were best friends during his time in the Navy.  I lost contact with him and will forever regret not staying in touch.  He was a fierce friend and loving father.  Karen, Yvonne and I are so sorry for your loss.  May God bless you and protect you. 

I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Mark. Although we never met or spoke, he played an integral part in the first years of my breeding my beloved Bengals. I could sense, from his website and photos that he dearly loved his cats. His sincerity in that respect was obvious as was his reputation for being a respectable and caring breeder of Bengals. Such a loss for his family and his wonderful cats. I will always remember Mark as seen in that great photo of him in a car with a Bengal cat  on his shoulder. May you rest in peace, Mark.

I regret that I never met Mark face to face and never had the opportunity to shake his hand.  Just from talking to him on the phone, I knew that there was a truly exceptional man on the other end of the line.

If I know Mark, he's probably lecturing God at this very momment about what is best to feed the kitties in Heaven.

RIP Mark.  Our condolences to the Pennington Family and Friends.

 I took notes whenever we talked on the phone. A phenomenal man. Will pray for his soul and his family.

We have been honored to be able to know Mark.  He was always willing to help and give advise to anyone no matter who they were.  Everyone was his friend no matter how long he knew them.  He will be missed.  Our prayers are with Karen, his sons, and his daughter.

Rick and I are so saddened at the loss of this kind, caring man. He always took the time to answer your call, respond to a text or instant message. He told us that there were no silly or dumb questions; only the ones that you do not ask. We lift up our prayers to our Heavenly Father for your family, and know that one day we will see you again. With your warm, hearty hug, and a big smile, and infectious laugh. The world is indeed a sadder place without you here; but we are all richer and wiser for having had you in it. We will miss you much!

We at Winn Feline Foundation were sorry to hear about Mark's passing. The news was shared by Vickie Fisher. 
A man respected by his friends and loved by cats (and loved cats in return) is someone who will deeply missed.

Mark was a ray of light and many times one of hope. He put his family first and his feline family second. He always had time to give Motzie a minute or two and give me advice on what political step to take next. You are one of the few I can say was my friend because of how we viewed life. Will miss you my friend.

He will never be forgotten. Peace and comfort to all of the family.

We were so saddened by Mark's passing. Please know that our prayers and love are with you Karen and family.

Mark you are a very special man and you will be missed

Karen, my sincere condolences to you and your family.  My prayers and thoughts are with you.





Mark you were right, ESN. Prayers for your family.

Mark was always quick to laugh, especially at his own expense. He loved and was loved by our family and we will miss him. I hope heaven has bengals all around you Mark.

In loving memory of Mark. Sending my thoughts and prayers to Karen and his family.

We cannot even begin to understand what you're going through right now, but we would like to offer our prayers and condolences to you and your family. Mark was a wonderful friend and mentor, he will be greatly missed and he will live on in our memories.

Mark was one of a kind. He was the first to respond an comfort me on Begals-L after loosing a Bengal kitten to FIP. We spoke for hours that first week and he comforted me after loosing our very first Bengal. It was from that time on, I considered Mark a friend. One of the best parts about Mark was there was nothing in this for him. He did not try and sell me a cat, he was just a knowledge base. However,  I knew at this point I wanted a Bengal from him. We spoke weekly not only about cats, but our families. He loved them so very much and was so proud of each of them. 
As time got closer and I would be picking up our kitten, I was determined to make a personal visit to bring her home. I wanted to meet Mark and his family. Sadly, this never happened. I became pregnant and was unable to make the trip from San Diego to CA. However, I still received my beautiful girl from him. We continued to corespond with me sending pictures to keep him updated and exchanged Christmas cards. 
I don't understand why God brought him home so early,but I do know that he made the world a better place and I can only aspire to touch other like he did. 
The heavens gained an angel. Until we meet again my friend!

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and everyone who is grieving his loss.

We were so upset to hear of Mark's passing. How wonderful that he was able to see his competition dream come true last year. So very glad to meet him and you, Karen, in Houston last year. He was always so helpful with our questions. May you feel God's comforting arms during this tragic time.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, his wife (Karen) and the entire family. May he rest in God's Divine Mercy and Peace...

Mark's passing must have caused the Angels to sing, but it will leave a hole in many earthly hearts.

Condolences to his familiy. Sure,that the whole Bengal-Community willmiss Mark, his humo an laughing. Also he was a great help to introduce raw diet into Germany.

Everyone who had the honor of being touched by Mark knows what a wonderfull caring person he was.  God gained an angel for he truly was one.  May he be in peace surrounded by all those waiting for him at Rainbow Bridge.
He will always be in my heart.
My sympathy to his family and friends.  May God grant you the serenity to accept his untimely passing.

While I only knew Mark via the Bengals sight, I feel we were neighbors here in the Houston area. Mark was the very first breeder I spoke to and has since spoken his many words of wisdom through his abundance of caring and his bottomless heart on the Bengal site. I truly knew he was a treasure of information who was always willing to help others to get where they wanted to go. I will miss his educational spirit, his ability to always be helpful and his quirky funny stories he has written on his website. So very sorry for your loss. My prayer are with you and may God Bless and keep your family always...

Marks was truely an amazing individual whose presence will be missed.

My Condolence to the family, Mark was not only well respected and liked but loved by many. He will not only be missed by his family but all he helped and touched. I know he is at Rain Bow Bridge! RIP Mark.

Somethings are just too hard to accept. The loss of our wonderful Mark is one of them. He was so honest, so humble, and so kind. It may seem trivial, but he gave me several compliments over the years that were heartfelt and meaningful. Whenever he asked my opinion on something, he considered it with great respect. Those brief, kind exchanges will be what I remember most. I know that many other exhibitors experienced Mark's kindness as well, and in many other ways. Just reading these entries shows what kind of man he was.

He had been through so much lately, including some very close calls. Each time I heard about one of these episodes, it was from him, telling a group of us at a  show. He was even able to find humor and gratitude in his scares. He was so thankful to be given more time. That make this sudden loss so difficult to believe.

We always seemed to be benched a row or two apart, and we spoke several times each show. Until I can accept that I will not be seeing him, I will just have to imagine he chose a different show to attend each time I am in a showhall listening for his laughter, looking for his smile, wondering which big cat T shirt he would be wearing.

To all who are grieving:

"May God grant those who mourn the strength to see beyond their sorrow, sustaining them despite their grief. 
May the faith that binds us to our loved ones be a continuing source  of comfort. May Mark's memory be a blessing, now and forever."

I am so sorry for your loss. Mark was an amazing man. Always had a smile on his face and always willing to help everyone. I looked forward to seeing him and Karen and his beautiful cats. It is such a shock that he is gone. I had a lot if respect for him and everything he did. He will truly be missed. RIP

Our prayers go out to you and your Family.  While we've seen Mark on the web thru the Bengals lovers list over the years, he graciously gave us advice on feeding not a bengal but our Mainecoon. He will be missed.

You will not be forgotten...you were sooooo loved by many and missed by everyone. Karen and family we are all here for you, all of my love and prayers.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mark in person, but enjoyed corresponding with him over the Bengal networks. I always looked forward to his posts and responses because I knew that they would be intelligent and funny and helpful.  I have several of his explanations and advice posts archived in my email files-- he was very generous with his time and patient with new cat owners. I will miss his voice and presence. My condolences to his wife and family.

May the memories of Mark help you find peace...

joe and i have no words.  it was a pleasure knowing mark and prayers to the family.
joe edwards/caroline fralia fort worth, tx

To Mark's family and friends, our deepest sympathies.  He was a wonderful man with his words of wisdom and encouragement even if he was just meeting you for the first time.  He is truly an inspiration for excellence in the Bengal cat community.  I appreciate all he has accomplished and contributed to us newer breeders.  Bless you all.

There are no words that can truly comfort Mark's family and friends for the loss felt at this time. My prayers to the family for strength during this difficult time. I know there were many, many special kitties waiting at the Rainbow Bridge to greet him with purrs welcoming him home, all to soon for the rest of us left behind.

Thank you Mark for all your advice and videos about raw diets.
Rest in peace.

Thank you Mark.  We didn't know each other well.  But we had the same commitment to our feline friends.  I will never be able to thank you enough for walking me through how to handle "kitty cancer."  Lilli is gone and now so are you.  But I'm at peace knowing she is there to great you and you are there to see her.  Please tell her I love her.  And thank you.  So much.  Thank you to all of your family for sharing you with us.  I will forever be in your debt.  A hui hou.

Godspeed to Heaven Mark.  I did not know you well but knew well of you.  Enjoyed your smile and presence at the cat shows.  See you later....

Mark's love and generosity will live on for years as his friends and family continue to love the wonderful companions he gave us.  I will always remember his spirit and willingness to help, and although we didn't know him for long, he touched our hearts in many ways.  Please accept our prayers and heartfelt sympathies.

I miss you already. Rest in peace.
Hugs and prayers

Life is full of the most unexpected moments.  Mark's death is one of those that awakens the heart to hear more fully.  Mark was an honest, compassionate man that I am glad to have known.  My heart and prayers accompany all of his loved ones.  He was so proud of you...

Some of us are content to sit and quietly watch life from the sidelines. Then there are those that are larger than life, the "Mark's", that make a profound difference. I feel blessed and privileged to have known Mark.  My most heartfelt condolences and love go out to his family. God bless you all.
Mark...I will miss you, my friend.

My sincere condolences on Mark's passing. Hy heart goes out to his family and his furkids, too.

Mark was so willing to help everyone... He was loved and respected by all.  I pray your family finds peace in this tragedy. Rest well, Mark. ❤❤

Praying for God's strength and abiding comfort for the whole Pennington family as well as the countless lives that Mark touched throughout his life. His was in all manner, a life well lived, and I celebrate that life today.  My deepest sympathy to all of us who have lost a dear friend and loved one. And yet... "We do not sorrow as those who have no hope!" 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Mark Pennington was a wonderful man. The love and care he provided to his family friends, and felines was outstanding. We will miss his smile, his friendship and jovial attitude. RIP. He will be missed so much.

Mark was an amazing friend and mentor. The bengal community has lost a pillar.  Our condolonces to Karen, his children and grandchildren.

I am so sorry for your loss.  The Bengal community has a great man!  I will miss seeing him at the shows.

A lot of people are keeping you all in their prayers. No other words can express this tragic loss
So very sorry

I am truly saddened by the loss of a kind, thoughtful and helpful Bengal Breeder and friend; Mark.  My thoughts and prayers to Karen and Mark's children as I ask God to give them strength through this sad time and to know there are many who share their grief.

My heart goes out to Karen and all of her family. My heart also goes out to all of the cat people that lost a great friend.

I'm so saddened by the loss. Prayers are with the Pennington family.

My heart goes out to Karen and Mark's family.  I know we will all meet again at that big cat show in the Heaven.  God bless all of you!

So sad to hear of Mark's passing. Sending up prayers for strength and comfort for Karen and his family and friends. He will certainly be missed at the cat shows.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please know that your Tica South Central family is here for you. Gods speed and rest in peace, Mark. You will be missed.

I was devastated to hear of your loss. Mark was a great asset to the cat fancy and to Bengal breeders everywhere, but more importantly, I know he deeply adored his wife and children, and he was a good man and a good friend. He was always available to me when I had a question or needed advice. He will be missed and remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. I hope you can take comfort in how much Mark was admired and liked by all of us.

Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.  He leaves behind a wonderful family and I know you will all be a great source of comfort and support to one another.  Ms. Muhammad and Family

I knew Mark from the Cat Shows,  I was always so impressed with his feeding protocol and his ethics .  He will be sorely missed, but will always be with us in the Show Halls and always with your Family.  I ma have Maine Coons, but Marks protocol on feeding left a strong impression on me, which I will never forget.  God Bless your Family.

So very saddened to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. God bless you and comfort you   Love ya sweet friend, Danette

No cat show will be the same without Mark there. Always loud, always laughing, always friendly and helpful. Gentle Giant comes to mind when thinking of him. A man that has made so much difference in so many lives. Meeting Mark meant you met your brother. Always agreeing to respectfully disagree. Always emphasizing that nothing at a cat show is worth getting upset over. Larger then life, always. My deepest sympathy Mark's family and friends and his cat friends, of which he had so many. You will be missed big guy.

May you join the Angel's in heaven at God's Speed. My condolescents to his lovely wife Karen and his wonderful children whom he spoke so highly of. 
Love Dorrie Robles and family.

Mark will be missed greatly at not only the shows, but in the Fancy in General.  I knew Mark from the shows, and he always was a presence that was  noticed and he was loved by many.  God Bless you Kathy and your Family.

Mark was a very kind and honest man. I spoke with him over the phone several times over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

We shall all miss you Mark. You made the online Bengal community a better place to be.

Mark will always be a part of my cat family! You will be missed!Thank you for getting use to the Bengals!

I will always remember you for all of the dedication, effort, and love you shared of yourself to the bengal cat world. You are a rare gem who will never be replaced because what you gave was pure and heart felt and comes from a place way deep inside of us that not many people can reach into. You expected little but gave so much to the world.

I will miss seeing you at the cat shows. Rest in peace.

Mark, the Bengal community lost an Ambassador for our breed!  You were a kind and giving soul and will be greatly missed.  I was honored to call you my friend.  To Karen and family, may you find comfort in knowing how much Mark was loved and appreciated by all.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  RIP Mark.  Much love and respect, Vickie Spitzer, Meow Amore Bengals

I always enjoyed being benched with Mark. He made the shows so much fun, and he will be missed by all. Wishing all of his friends and family the peace of happy memories.

Mark will be missed by many in the cat fancy.  It is a great loss.  My prayer are with the family and God will show comfort to you during this time.

I am so very sorry for the loss of Mark.  I only "knew" him through the Bengals-L group but admired his knowledge and his willingness to help everyone.  He was a real stand-up guy and will be missed greatly.  May your memories and your love of him comfort you.

Mark was one of my "favorite kids".  I cannotknow how  much  grief  you are feeling, but I want you  all to know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing  him with  the  cat  family.  Much love!

May God give you and your Family comfort at this time of sorrow, Mark's memory will live on in all who he has met or known, with our Deepest Sympathy and Prayers for you and your Family,

Mark will be missed. He did so much for the Bengal and those who loved them. He took time to to help anyone who asked. My prayers are for you Karen and your family. I pray that God helps you through this terrible time.

Mark was a wonderful man who I was blessed and honored to call my friend. He was a big bundle of joy and laughs and I will never forget that about him. He would want us all to go on and remember the good times and to remember the things he taught us. Nevertheless, that wonderful man will be sorely missed.

Words cannot express how much Mark will be missed. I am incredibly lucky to be able to call him my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, including the fur babies.

God sent for Mark for a reason.  I believe all the Bengals that ever crossed over the rainbow bridge were too much for God to handle on his own so he sent for Mark.  I only chatted with Mark on line about bengal issues, but I feel I lost a family member. Great Man that did great things. Prayers for your family.

Dear Mark,  you left a void in our "Bengal world" that no one could ever fill.   You will truly be missed.
~ Karen Madden  , Cavscout Bengals

Mark you will be missed greatly, you taught me a lot about bengals.  Prayers for you and your family

So sorry for your loss. Mark was one of a kind.

Words can not express how saddened we are to hear about the loss of our friend. All the memories will certainly help to sustain  at this most difficult time. We will never forget you.

Mark Pennington was a very passionate and caring man and I was very fortunate to have his friendship and to partake of his wisdom and kindness during the four years I have known him in the Bengal Community.  
He was a very passionate man with strong opinions and yet he was mature and wise in that he did not judge others, nor did he reject them for their differences.  When meeting someone whose beliefs were different from his own, he did not reject them or berate them - rather he befriended them which was the sneakiest way of sharing your world view by giving of yourself.  Would that we all could be so wise. 
He spoke proudly of his wife Karen, of his children and their commitment to their faith.  He shared the joys and tears of his life raising bengals and strove to become knowledgeable about bengals and to share that knowledge with literally hundreds of people who he mentored in person, online, and on the phone.  He committed his time and labor (and his families time and labor) to make videos providing instruction on the care and feeding of our beloved cats.  He earned my respect by overcoming his drive to win, by channeling that energy into a drive to help and serve and he still won anyway.
He taught us to learn from everyone, but most of all to listen to and trust ourselves.  He made us laugh and didn't mind being the butt of the joke (oh, if only I had known your name was 'Carlton', I would have enjoyed torturing you), and he wasn't afraid to kneel beside us and cry as we struggled through the births, the illnesses and even the deaths of our kittens.  So many of us have lost our teacher, our fearless leader, our heretical rabbi...we are left with the pawprints he left in our hearts and the many memories he gave us that will guide us in the future.  
Our prayers reach out to be with his wife Karen and his children and family and to surround them with our hopes for peace to surround them as they heal from this terrible loss.  Mark lives in your hearts always.  When you can, let your tears dry and look inside and listen and  you will feel him there beside you always.  If there is anything we can do, please let us.  We owe you a great deal for your graciousness in sharing him with us and you have our gratitude.
Wakan Tanka

My heart hugs yours today Karen! What a special man you had in your life and I am sure you are so blessed that God gave him to you and the kids. He was so giving in spirit and I just talked to him about my "Buddy" two weeks ago and, he was so gracious, kind and caring and so helpful when I needed him the most, when I was at the Vets with Buddy. He also talked me into a necropsy and that was the wisest thing I did, taking Marks' advice. What a special individual to reach out to me a perfect stranger yet connected because of the Bengals. Oh Karen, I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am to have gotten to know your husband via FB and all his articles and writings and the latest phone calls with him. Thank you so much for sharing him with all of us. May the special memories fill your heart with him during this difficult time while God uplifts you and your family knowing so many are praying. xoxo

I only knew you through facebook, due to our love of cats. I'll miss your posts. Advice & wisdom! Fly with the Angels mark!

Mark ,I only knew you through the Bengal community but enjoyed everything you had to say about our cats. You recently offered help with my cat and was kind enough to leave your phone number. You truly were a generous person and I am sorry and saddened that we never got to talk. You truly were a gem in the Bengal world.

Mark has touched many around the world, he leaves behind a legacy of his knowledge, kindness, his children, and with his cats. We are better for knowing him. Until we meet again my friend!

Brother, I treasure the moments we had together.  Hugs from my family to yours

Heaven has a new Angel... May you be surrounded by the many cats that passed before you...

Mark blessed us all, with his humor, his kindness and his wisdom. Many people in the Bengal Cat community learned from him, laughed with him, and shared our love of the Bengal breed, with him.  He loved his family, he cherished his friends, and in so many ways, made the world a brighter place.  He will be missed by many... and remembered long.  His family is in our prayers -- memories of his kindness, dedication and joyful outlook will ring in our hearts for many years to come.

Very,very sad to loose such a supportive and loving friend to so many. Prayers for his Family at this time of sorrow.

Mark was my friend.  I am proud to say he was a friend to me, and helped me often.  i miss him very much.

There is a void in the Bengal community. We will miss Mark's words of wisdom. You are in our prayers.

OBITUARY

Mark Pennington

May 14, 1960 – April 21, 2015

Forest Park East Funeral Home & Cemetery

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