Thomas PENNINGTON

PENNINGTON, Thomas GuvDied peacefully October 17, 2012. He was the third and last son of Dr. Jefferson Cumley Pennington and Dr. Edna Scott Pennington. Guv was born into the congregation of First Presbyterian Church on January 15, 1929. He was baptized by James I. Vance as an infant and took his place as an active member of that church for his entire life. He served there as a Deacon and an Elder, as well as with their Youth Department and their Missions. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Phyllis Thorp Pennington; his brother, Dr. William Scott Pennington of Athens, AL; his son, Thomas Thorp Pennington and his wife Kathryn of Nashville; his daughters, Inez Scott Pennington and her husband Don Erickson of Kansas City, MO, Jennifer Wright Pennington of Nashville; and grandchildren, Thomas Hunt Pennington and Molly Kathryn Pennington, both of Nashville; in addition to numerous and nieces and nephews. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vanderbilt University (1948) and a graduate of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1951), he completed his internship and residencies in both Internal Medicine and Allergy & Immunology at Cornell University Medical College in New York City. While there, he met and married the love of his life, Phyllis Thorp and having completed his enlistment in the Strategic Air command of the US Air force, they returned to Nashville where he began a long and distinguished medical career in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Immunology. A Fellow of the the America College of Physicians and American Society of Allergy and Immunology, Guv served as President of the Nashville Society of Internal Medicine as well as the Nashville Academy of Medicine. He was named Clinical Professor of Medicine by both Vanderbilt University Medical School and University of Tennessee College of Medicine and Chief of Medicine in the Vanderbilt Teaching Service. He was a co-founder and organizer of the Heritage Medical Group of Nashville and served as a trusted advisor to the Board of Trust of Baptist Hospital. The creation of the University of Tennessee Internal Medicine Residency program at Baptist Hospital would not have been possible without his vision and leadership. In 2001, Baptist Hospital honored Guv with its Lifetime Achievement Award citing his career of service of more than four decades, his peerless leadership, and unwavering service to his patients. In 2008, the Tennessee Medical Association conferred upon him its Outstanding Physician Award. Other honors and awards, too numerous to mention, are a testament to his dedication and service to the community. Sustained and led by his deep faith and sense of commitment in both his personal and professional life and in his teaching and volunteer activities, he held it a privilege to help all those in need of medical care regardless of their financial status. He studied Spanish and volunteered as a physician in the Dominican Republic as well as with the Siloam Family Health Center in Nashville. He has been aptly described "a servant" referencing Matthew 23:11-12: "The greatest among you will be your servant". He was an avid tennis player, a skilled and sensitive wood carver, a wonderful storyteller, and a convivial host. Quick to laugh, to encourage and serve others, his kindness and loving nature endeared him to everyone. Guv loved God, his family, and his friends. Memorial Service Saturday, October 20, 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Road, with Visitation preceding at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the scholarship fund that honors Dr. Guv Pennington, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, c/o Vanderbilt University Gift Processing, PMB407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, 37240-7727 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Road, Nashville, TN 37220, in memory of Dr. Guv Pennington to continue his service to youth and missions.