Jack Pennington

Jack R. Pennington, longtime resident of Enumclaw, WA passed peacefully into the arms of his Savior, Saturday August 23rd, 2025.
Jack was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, August 28th, 1931, and passed just 5 days prior to his 94th birthday. He was the youngest of four siblings, losing his Father at just 10 months old. He was raised by his mother during the Great Depression and dust bowl years in Claremore. As part of the "Grapes of Wrath," "Okie" migration to the West Coast, his family settled in Hayward, CA in 1946.
Jack worked for Pacific Gas and Electric as a lineman and was drafted into the Army in 1952. Completing basic training at Fort Ord, CA, he was assigned to the 29th Signal Construction Battalion and posted to Karlsruhe, Germany for 2 years of active duty. Jack returned to the United States where he served an additional 6 years in the Army Reserves before being honorably discharged.
Jack's posting in Karlsruhe would lead him to meet and marry the love of his life, Emilie (Amy) Zoller. Married in Karlsruhe, October 29th, 1953, they returned to the United States in 1954 and the Bay Area to raise three children, Beate, Jack and Brian.
Jack then went to work for San Diego Transportation Company in 1960, a division of Crowley Maritime Corporation, leading to a 28-year career in the Maritime field with assignments on the west coast in San Diego to Prudhoe Bay and Valdez, AK as port manager. He was elected President of the Northwest Towboat Association and was a member of the Propeller Club of the United States. He retired from Crowley Maritime management in 1988.
While in San Diego, CA, he served as a reserve police officer with the San Diego Police Dept. for 5 years.
A long-time member of the Calvary Presbyterian church in Enumclaw, he spent many years serving as a Deacon and mentor. Jack & Amy served their community by volunteering at the Enumclaw Food Bank.
Jack's retirement years were spent with Amy traveling the United States and spending every moment together. They were together more than 60 years before Amy passed away in 2014 from cancer. Jack's daughter Beate passed from cancer in 2011. Jack's interests and hobbies, in addition to maintaining his home, included steam powered train locomotives and miniature train sets.
His greatest loves and joy were Amy, his children Beate, Jack (Yvonne), and Brian; grandchildren, Eric (Caely), Sean (Ashley); great grandchildren (Tristan and Amelia.)
Preceded in death by his father William, mother Esther, siblings Doyle, Juanita, Bill.
In lieu of flowers, the Family suggests contributions to the Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation and the Enumclaw Food Bank.
Services by Weeks funeral home. Interment will be at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA, on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 1:30.