Aubrey “Keith” Pennington
Aubrey “Keith” Pennington, of Blackwell, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at his home. He was 86.
Keith was born on Dec. 26, 1931, in May, Okla., the son of Ralph Walter and Mabel Agnes Chambers Pennington. Keith grew up in Blackwell and attended Blackwell schools and competed as a boxer in high school. He joined the National Guard and transferred to the U.S. Navy where he was stationed on the USS Iowa during the Korean War. In 1951, he met his future wife, Mary Woodson and the two would be married on Dec. 23, 1951, in Yuma, Ariz. The couple would make their home in the area of San Bernardino, Calif., for many years. Keith worked 35 years for the Santa Fe Railroad until his retirement in July of 1989. Throughout their years together, Keith and Mary lived in Barstow, Calif., Wellington, Kan. and eventually retired back to Keith’s hometown of Blackwell 27 years ago. During his life, Keith enjoyed doing home repair and maintenance, building projects, gardening and his pride and joy was restoring his 1948 Plymouth with all original parts. Keith and Mary also spent many years vacationing with their two children and other relatives and friends throughout their life together. He enjoyed Blackwell history and was proud of his hometown. He and Mary spent many years working with the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society and Museum. Keith kept busy in his later years with home projects. He loved spending time with his family and telling them many stories of his years in the Navy, working for the Santa Fe Railroad and his childhood memories growing up in Blackwell. Every morning, Keith enjoyed sitting in front of his living room window waving at those passing by.
He is survived by his son, Don and wife Saundra, of Rancho Bernardo, Calif.; daughter, Susan Bannister, of Grenola, Kan.; grandchildren, Dan, Jeffrey, Derek, Jessica, Josh, Lane, Shelby and Kylie; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Boston, Uriah, Nevaeh, Kira, Tuff, Tessa and Blakely; sisters, Evelyn McKinnis, of Prague, Louise Akers and husband Ed, of Tonkawa and Katy Ray and husband Charles, of Blackwell; and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary, of 63 years; his parents; his brother, Harold Pennington and sister, Phyllis Bridges.
Family will be at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 23, to greet and visit with friends.
A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 24, at Greenlawn Abby Mausoleum in Blackwell Cemetery, with Mike Sweetman, chaplain of Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, officiating.
Military rites will be performed by the United States Navy.
Online condolences can be made at www.robertsandsonfh.com.
paid obituary