Joseph Mason Pennington (1934 - 2016)

Born 31 Mar 1934 in East St. Louis, Missouri, USA

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Biography

Joseph Mason Pennington passed away on July 15, 2016.

Joseph was born on March 31, 1934, to the union of Joe and Lucille (Johnson) Pennington in East St. Louis, Illinois. He graduated from East St. Louis Senior High in 1953, where he played varsity basketball and American Legion and Optimist baseball. He entered the United States Air Force in July 1953.

He married his high school sweetheart, Marie Catherine Trione, on Dec. 26, 1953. To this union was born six children: Joseph Junior (deceased), Jan, Jeff, James, Jon and Julie.

Joseph served 20 years in the Air Force and rose to rank senior master sergeant. The Air Force took him to six of the seven continents.

He lived in Japan, France and The Netherlands. He served in Saudi Arabia and McMurdo Station Antarctica. He played softball for his Air Force units and, while in The Netherlands, realized his dream of coaching high school basketball.

After retirement from the Air Force with an honorable discharge, he was employed as the assistant manager of the Ramada Inn in Gallup, N.M.; he became a quality assurance director with Ramada Inns Corporate and traveled all over the United States.

He was a turnaround specialist for several hotel properties, preparing them to be sold. He was general manager of the Ramada Inn in Santa Fe, N.M., including managing the attached nightclub, Mr. R’s. He finished his work career as the administrative manager of a construction company.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in California. He was an active member of the Lions Club in Gallup, where he served as hospitality chairman for the annual rodeo and was awarded Cowboy of the Year.

He was a member of the St. Jerome’s parish council and later became administrator for the parish.

He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his first-born son, and two sisters, Margie Deichmann and Regina Casson.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife, Marie; his daughter Jan (Kurt); his sons Jeffrey (Lamar), James (Suzie) and Jon (LiAnn); his daughter Julie (Mike); his brother Ron (Tracey) and 10 grandchildren: Michelle, Jennifer, Melanie, Jeremy, Jami, Michael, Chad, Jonathan, Amber and Emily; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish in Rio Rancho, N.M.; interment will be at the Rosario Catholic Cemetery in Santa Fe.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Knights of Columbus. Donations made out to the Knights of Columbus can be mailed to George Tetreault, 411 Birdie Ct. SE, Rio Rancho, N.M., 87124.

To view information or leave a condolence, please visit danielsfuneral.com.

Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124; 505-892-9920.

Sources

• Rio Rancho Observer, July 24, 2016