Kenneth Robert Pennington

1929 - 2017

Kenneth Robert Pennington

August 29, 1929 - October 13, 2017

Visalia

Kenneth Pennington was born in Erick, Oklahoma, August 29, 1929 to Herbert and Eva Lee Pennington. He was the firstborn, but a sister and brother were added later. The family moved to Tulare County in 1938 and settled in Exeter in 1941. While still in school, he began working at the Exeter Sun, where he was taught the printing trade. In 1949, he married the love of his life, LaVerne Tolbert and they established a home in Visalia where he continued to work in a print shop. In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and took basic training at Fort Ord. In January 1953, he was sent overseas to Germany where he served in a heavy mortar unit, returning home to be discharged in September 1954. He sought work in his printing trade and found a job in Watsonville, where they relocated. His father-in-law, a farmer, asked him if he would like to come back home, to Visalia, and start farming. He accepted and began his new farming career, settling on a 40 acre farm in the Taurusa area of Visalia and helping his father-in-law on his several plots of farm lands. This continued until time for retirement.

He enjoyed playing softball on the church team in the city league. Also he took pleasure in fishing the mountain streams as well as boat fishing on nearby lakes.

He was a member of the Dinuba Christian Church and took pleasure in teaching an adult Sunday School class for some time. He loved singing hymns and he lead songs during the church services for many years.

Kenneth is survived by his loving wife LaVerne, his daughter Kathleen Leonard, his son and daughter-in-law Robert & Terri Pennington, his sister and brother-in-law Betty & Don Porter and his brother and sister-in-law Gayle & Lois Pennington. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nicholas Leonard, Joshua Pennington, Courtney Meek and Karlie Pennington and his great granddaughter Avy Leonard. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 4 - 8 p.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Miller Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Visalia Public Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Avenue in Visalia.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA (559) 732-8371.