Autry Lee Pennington, of Safford, passed into eternity on May 29, 2021, at the age of 83. He was born on Dec. 28, 1937, in Wister, Oklahoma to parents Howard Pennington and Bessie Coffee Pennington, with siblings, Loveda, Marlin, Mary, Betty, Caroline, Wanda, Gale, and Dale.
Autry attended school in Central, attending through the eighth grade. He had to drop out of school to go to work and help support his siblings and parents. On Jan. 9, 1957, he married his one true love, Marjorie Ilene Wimberly, in Lordsburg, New Mexico, and they were blessed with three children; Scottie, Kete, and Silvia. Autry worked as an iron worker to support his beloved family. In 1975, without studying, he took his GED test and passed.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, camping, and spending time with his family. He truly loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time there with his family. His favorite outdoor escapade was his Alaskan fishing trip. Autry was skilled and could build anything, from custom homes to silversmithing, and furniture. He was a very kind and thoughtful person who never raised his voice, even to his wife and children. He was also a very quiet man who said very little but was respected by everyone. A couple of his favorite sayings were, “What one man can do, so can you,” and, “You only fail if you don’t try.” He was full of patience, love, and perseverance.
Autry was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Bessie Pennington, and by his brothers, Marlin and Dale Pennington.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie Pennington; his children, Scottie (Susan) Pennington, of Safford, Silvia Worthey, of Safford, and Kete (Sammie) Pennington, of Franklin; his siblings, Loveda D. Ferguson, of Mesa, Mary L. Fove, of Mesa, Betty G. (Carl) Stone, of Mesa, Caroline E. Miller, of Glendale, Wanda L. (Tutie) Ginn, of Central, and Gale G. (Naiomi) Pennington, of Durango, Colorado. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held Saturday, June 5, at 9 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. at McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel, with interment in the Pima Cemetery following services.
Services are being cared for by McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel located at 112 E. Main St., Safford, Arizona, 85546, 928-428-1740.
