Harry L. Pennington

Sept. 3, 1919 - June 2, 2012
Harry L. Pennington, Sr.
Harry L. Pennington, 92, of Huntsville, passed away Saturday. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army Coast Artillery Corps (anti-aircraft). Following graduation from the University of Alabama School of Law after WWII, Wetumpka native, Harry L. Pennington, Sr. settled in Huntsville, where he established a private law practice. During his half century in his adopted home, Harry Pennington contributed in no small part to the creation and expansion of many landmarks that make Huntsville what it is today.
Nine months after his arrival, Harry began the first of a lengthy list of service and leadership positions in his chosen home. He was named Circuit Solicitor (forerunner of the modern District Attorney) in 1951, followed by Circuit Judge in 1955. First elected in 1962 to represent the interests of Madison County in the Alabama Legislature, serving two terms, Harry Pennington was voted the most outstanding legislator in 1967 by the Capitol Press Corp. In 1970, Governor George C. Wallace chose Harry as his Executive Secretary (chief of staff) during Wallace's second term. In that position, Harry shouldered an extraordinary responsibility after an assassination attempt hospitalized Governor Wallace.
Harry Pennington used his legislative terms and executive branch service to establish many noted programs and institutions for Madison County. He arranged an initial grant of $500,000 for the acquisition and construction of Constitution Hall Village.
He introduced and attained passage of the act creating the Alabama Space Science Exhibit commission, known as the Alabama Space and Rocket Museum. He served on that board from 1965-1999, as Vice-Chairman from 1970-1982 and as Chairman from 1982-1989. During his chairmanship of the Commission, the U.S. Space Camp was inaugurated, the Omni-Max theater and the Space Camp training center and dormitory (Habitat I) were constructed.
Harry introduced and won passage of the legislation establishing the Twickenham Historical District in Huntsville, resulting in the preservation and restoration of many fine homes in the older section of Huntsville.
He sponsored and attained passage of legislation extending the city limits of Huntsville through a portion of Redstone Arsenal to the Madison County line making possible the creation of the Huntsville/Madison County Airport.
He benefited all Alabama citizens by introducing and winning passage of legislation requiring banks to pay interest on all state government deposits.
In addition to his public service, Harry Pennington was a successful local businessman. He was CEO of Huntsville Lumber Company, 1959-1997, and member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Huntsville, 1962-1992, and Chairman from 1968-1976. He was an early supporter of the establishment of Randolph School at its present location on Drake Avenue. He contributed to the building of the Huntsville Museum of Art in 1998. He served on the Board of trustees of local universities: University of North Alabama, Florence, 1968-1976; and Alabama A & M University, Huntsville, 1976-1979. He was a major team player with local economic development organizations: Huntsville Industrial Expansion Committee, 1963-1972; Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, 1975-1978. Even when not serving on the boards of these organizations, Harry was always available to use his government experience and influence to assist their work for the growth of our community. He served on the Army Community Relations Committee of Redstone Arsenal since 1975, and on the Board of Directors of Redstone Village, a life care retirement community, as First Vice-Chairman since 2004.
His work with service organizations included membership on the board of North Alabama Council of Boy Scouts of America, 1975-1978; Huntsville/Madison county Mental Health Association, 1975-1985 (President, 1983-1985); United Way of Huntsville and Madison County, 1976-1981; Huntsville/Madison County YMCA, 1968-1971; and the Salvation Army, 1977-1998.
Harry served the community through memberships in the Huntsville Lions Club, 1954-1975 (President, 1962-1963); the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville since 1992, Veterans of Foreign Wars; the American Legion, and Capitol Lodge No. 923, F. & A.M., Scottish Rite and Cahaba Shrine Club. He was also a member of First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wives, Jeanette Bell, Evelyn Higgins, who was the mother of his children, and Gloria Parker.
Survivors include son, Harry L. Pennington, Jr. and wife, Wendelyn, of Huntsville; daughter, Melanie P. Ezell and husband, Chase, of Brentwood; grandchildren, Matthew L. Pennington, Mary Abigail Ezell and Evelyn Lucas Ezell; and numerous step-children and step-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.