Obituary of Ron Pennington

Ron Pennington was born October 20, 1948. Ron left this life on Wednesday 7/26/2023 at 1:30 a.m. peacefully in his sleep. Ron was born the 8th child to Eleanor (Word) Pennington and James Amos Pennington in Manchester, Kentucky. He was a graduate of Clay County High School and Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a master’s degree followed by a Rank One. He was a founding member of the Black Ensemble choir, and a founding member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at EKU while attending EKU. Ron taught at Jesse Clark Middle School for years and was a football, track, and baseball coach while there. He later taught Art at Dunbar High School and worked as a resource officer and principal for summer school in Fayette County for several years. He retired from the education field in 2007. Preceding him in death was his mother and father and sisters Bobbie (Sherman) Buttram , Virginia Williams, and Flora Pennington as well as brothers Pearl Pennington, Gill (Faye) Pennington, and Jerry Pennington. Two of Ron’s siblings died around their birth. Ron is survived by his Wife Charlene Dickie Pennington, son, Jason Pennington (Alex), and daughter, Heather Pennington. He also leaves to mourn his passing, siblings, Sharon “Sherri” Runyon (Phillip) and John Ed Pennington (Lorraine) and sister-in-law, Jackie Pennington. Being from a large family, Ron had nieces as follows: Debbie Jackson, Valerie (Cecil) Ferrell, Teresa (Garland) Gaines, Yvonne Walker, Geri Murray, Tammy Pennington, Paula Pennington, Lesa Walker and Kristi Runyon Middleton (Jervis); nephews, Rodney (Janice) Pennington, Dale Pennington, Darrell Pennington, John Barton Pennington, Brandon Pennington, and Brian Runyon (Cassie); several great nieces and nephews as well as many cousins, extended family, and close family friends. Ron was preceded in death by niece Pam Boston and nephews Donnie Buttram, Gary Pennington, and Jeff Pennington.

Ron was Ronnie until he went away to college where he shortened his name to Ron and that is how he was best known from then on. He was an avid UK fan and still enjoyed reading the newspaper in print copy. He had several animal pets over the years but his heart in recent years belonged to his beloved Rottweiler, Lillie. She was his constant companion and will sense his loss. Ron was loved by all who knew him and will be missed greatly.

Visitation for the Celebration of Life for Ron Pennington will be held on Saturday August 5, 2023, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at the Clark Legacy Center, 601 Brannon Road, Nicholasville, KY. A brief service will commence at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association in his honor.