Gale G Pennington

Gale Gene Pennington, age 73, died peacefully at his residence in McMinnville, Oregon on March 27th, surrounded by family, after a brief but courageous battle against cancer. He recently moved to the area from Durango, Colorado, where he had lived the past 20 years.
Born in Central, Arizona on June 29, 1950, he was the son of Howard George Pennington and Bessie Belle Coffey. He grew up and attended schools in Safford, Arizona graduating high school in 1968 and later earned a degree in criminology. He enlisted in the military and served 20 years in the US Air Force where he rose to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant while serving as a military police officer and lead investigator. He was stationed in Turkey, Germany, and at various bases in the US.
He was a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy in Quantico, VA where he received intensive training in law enforcement tactics, hostage rescue, counterterrorism, interviewing, and intelligence analysis. After retiring from the military, he started his own private investigation firm and was a manager at Hilltop House Community Corrections Center in Durango.
He met the love of his life, Naomi E. Coleman, and they were married on September 26, 1998, in Mesa, Arizona.
Gale was a very special, loving, and caring person who had a heart of gold. He was committed to helping people improve their lives and would constantly go out of his way, giving the shirt off his back, to help someone. He was a fun dad and grandfather. He enjoyed being outdoors especially if it involved camping, boating, fishing, or any activity where he could spend time with his family. He enjoyed board games including a competitive game of checkers. Gale had a dry sense of humor and was a man who lived a full life. He would always remark that he's, "done everything and been everywhere." Always up for trying something new, whether it was an exotic meal at a restaurant or willingness to go someplace new. His personal tagline was, "Surprise me!"
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Naomi, a daughter Cody L. Hodson (Donny) and son Brian G. Pennington (Brandi) both of Mesa, AZ, a stepdaughter Ashley Godfrey (Joshua) of Durango and grandchildren Bailey and Bryson Pennington and Clara, Hazel, and Shepherd Godfrey, and a sister Betty Stone (Carl) of Mesa, AZ plus many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers Marland, Autry, and twin Dale, and sisters Loveda Ferguson, Wanda Ginn, Carolyn Miller, and Mary Severin.
The family would like to thank Gale's nephew, Ethan Haynie, for introducing us to the scenic beauty of the Pacific Northwest and for his constant support during Gale's illness.
The funeral will be private and there will be no calling hours. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Gale's life is being planned at which time family and friends will be able to attend this special service.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Macy and Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, McMinnville, OR.