Donald Ray Pennington

Donald Ray Pennington, formerly of Somerset, KY, passed away peacefully at his residence in Maineville, Ohio, on December 3, 2025, at the age of 74. Born in the family’s farmhouse in Sherman, KY on June 20, 1951, to the late John Henry and Lucy Ferguson Pennington, Donald was the third of seven siblings.

Donald was a 1969 graduate of Grant County High School and was studying at the University of Kentucky when he was drafted into the Vietnam War by the US Army. He served honorably, embodying courage and dedication to his country.

A lifelong tobacco and cattle farmer, Donald's work ethic shone through in every endeavor he pursued. For 38 years, he donned the color brown and drove a truck for UPS. He met his wife, Terri Lynn Hall Pennington, on one of his early package routes before he later started driving over the road.

Donald and Terri were married on July 10th, 1976 and would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this coming Summer. Donald “retired” in 2009, at which point, he joined Terri running a greenhouse and Country Pumpkins Fall Festival in Dry Ridge.

His second retirement in 2012 resulted in relocating to southern Kentucky where he joined a Rook and golf league, and was self-employed as a handyman and in lawn maintenance. He could also be found running the grill at Country Pumpkins every Fall once it moved down the road to his sister and brother-in-law’s.

He spent the majority of his life serving steadfastly at Sherman Church of Christ, holding position as an elder for many years. Most recently, he was an active member of the leadership at Southern Heights Christian Church, in Somerset, KY, and dutifully mowed their yard every week. Donald lived out his faith – in the way he served and worked, conducted business, loved his family, and related to others.

Donald was kind, warm, affectionate and friendly. He was never not smiling. He had the most wonderful smile. He never met a stranger and left everyone he ever met better than when he found them. He was generous with his time and money. He was a patient teacher. Donald was a story-teller and could talk for hours! He was funny and playful. He was also mischievous and onery – always on the cusp of getting into something or making a joke!

He enjoyed a good cigar, a long nap by the pool, and a leisurely afternoon on the golf course.

Donald relished quality time spent with his family, including memorable moments over long dinners and laughs at the card table – Canasta and Mille Bournes were family favorites. He also found joy in swimming, fishing, cruising and traveling, especially to Naples, Florida, where he and his family spent their Winter months over the last decade.

Donald adored children, watching them, playing with them... and savored the last couple years he had living with his young grandson, Samson Ray.

He will be remembered as a committed husband, loving family man, a skilled farmer, and a loyal friend whose life was rich with kindness and dedication. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

There is no shadow of doubt that Donald crossed that threshold into his Eternal Home, the first words he heard were, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Terri; daughters Rachel Dawn (Barry) Neuberger and Angela Ware (Mark) Lawwill; brother Ricky Dale (Cherie) Pennington; and three sisters, Darlene (Dean) Lindsay, Debbie (Dean) Colson, and Jo Sharon (Doyle) Cain. He was a proud grandaddy to Samson Ray Neuberger, Heather Schweinzger, Stephanie Frazier, and Shelley Webster, as well as great-grandfather to eight great-grandchildren.

Donald is preceded in death by his son, John Cameron Pennington; brother, Ellis Lee Pennington; and sister, Joyce Faye Pennington Ware.

Visitation for Donald Ray Pennington will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 11:00 AM until 12:30 PM at Sherman Church of Christ, located at 1055 Sherman Mount Zion, Dry Ridge, KY 41035, followed by a funeral service from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Pastors Dave Paddick and Tommy Simpson will be officiating services. Burial will follow at the KY Veteran's Cemetery North, in Williamstown, KY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Southern Heights Christian Church in Somerset, KY.