Joseph Leon Pennington Sr.

Joseph Leon Pennington Sr.

Aug. 16, 1932 – Dec. 23, 2024

 Joseph (Joe) L. Pennington Sr. 92, of Wharton Texas, passed away at his residence on Monday, December 23, 2024. He was born to the late Evelyn Swathwood and Wade Pennington of Marion, Indiana on August 16, 1932. 

 Joe graduated high school from Branson, Missouri in 1950. Joe entered the military right out of high school and joined the Air Force. Joe served his country as a radar operator during the Korean conflict. While he was deployed, his parents had moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where his dad was an Naval officer at the Naval Air Station in Flour Bluff, Texas. In 1953, Joe, came back to Corpus Christi, Texas and worked at H.E.B. while attending Delmar College in Corpus Christi, Texas. He then continued his studies at Texas –A& I (Kingsville.) In 1962, he graduated A&I with a Bachelors’ degree in Art with a minor in computer science. 

 Joe married his one true love of his life, Mary Catherine Rivers on May 2, 1964 in Corpus Christi, Texas at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. In 1965, Joe & Mary were blessed with their only child, Joe Jr. (Joey)

 In 1968, Joe moved his family to Wharton Texas to accept a teaching position in the computer science department at Wharton County Junior College.When Joe moved to town, he joined and was a dedicated member of the of the Kiwains Club. this was a local non-profit organization that would sell Christmas trees annually behind the Fire Station in the 70's. They did local projects to improve the quality of life of local Whartonians. After earning additional computer programming certificates at Texas A&M University at College Station, in 1972, Joe was promoted to the Computer Science Department Chairman. After 29 great years and triple bypass heart surgery in 1984, Joe retired in 1997. 

 With his teaching career behind him, Joe loved to travel & take cruises with his true love, Mary, after he retired in 1997. Russia, Israel, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida, New Orleans, & Dallas are just a few vacation spots. Joe and Mary loved to drive the family to New Orleans, St. Louis, Mississippi, Atlanta & Dallas to visit Six Flags, the zoo, museum exhibitions, or a teacher convention. Joe and the family would drive to San Antonio & Corpus Christi frequently to visit both sides of the family. Joe, Mary, & Joey visited a brother-in-law and family who had a farm a few times in Evening Shade, Arkansas also. Finally, Joe & Mary would visit family, for a few week once a year, in Ft. Meyers, Florida during the summer. They would shop at second hand stores, swim in their covered pool, play cards, and enjoy exotic seafood meals that his uncle would cook.

 Joe was drawn into Antiques as he and Mary bought an old Antique house in Wharton full of priceless wonders. Joe would love to frequent Antique Auctions in Corpus Christi nearly every weekend. He would fill his house up with wonderful treasures. In 1976, when he ran out of room at home for his Antiques, Joe & Mary would buy the Antique Junction located in Louise, Texas. Only open on the weekends, that is where you could find Joe & Mary, always together. Joe owned and operated the Antique Junction for 42 years until he sold it recently. Joe still maintained a vendor booth at the Bohemian Rhapsody II in downtown Wharton. 

 Joes most memorable times were being around his grand-child & great grand-child during the holidays, watching his beloved Astros win the World Series twice and rooting the Houston Texans. BBQ'ing, playing cards, taking his chance at the lotto, reading about Abraham Lincoln, watching informational shows on the local PBS channels. Joe most enjoyed being with family. He loved working around the house, painting, drawing, crocheting, planting roses in his rose bed, repairing whatever needed fixing, and helping neighbors, just to name a few.

 Joe is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Catherine of Wharton, son, Joey Pennington of Wharton, his beloved grand-child, Lindle Krushall and husband Brandon Jr. of Clear Lake, great grand-daughter Harley Krushall of Clear Lake, and brother Jerry Pennington of Corpus Christi and wife Linda. Joe had numerous nieces & nephews.

 Joe was preceded in death by his father Wade Pennington, mother, Evelyn Baker, step father Bill Baker, brother, Jim Pennington, and sister, Patrica Graves.

 Joe was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Wharton County Historical Society, the Wharton County Teachers Credit Union, & the Wharton County Retired Teachers Association. 

 Funeral services will be Monday, December 30, 2024 with visitation starting at 9am at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church located at 506 S. East Ave. Wharton Texas with a rosary & mass to precede the burial at Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers are Phil Stone, Donny Salyer, Glen Evanicky, Jessie Shavers, Antuan Whalon, & Domingo Montavlo. Honorary Pallbearers are Roy Harris, Ben Comitan, Vincent Pena, and Jamie Compian.

Funeral services are under the direct supervision of the Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences & and memories may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.