John Edward Pennington, 73, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Born in Rosenberg, Texas on October 20, 1938, raised in Palacios, Texas, he graduated from Palacios High School in 1957 and from the University of Texas at Austin in 1964. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Maurice and Meta (Baxter) Pennington and brother, Harold Baxter Pennington. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Beatrice (Ramsey), daughters, Julie Lynn and Sandy Kay and grandson, David Samuel Poor II.

A sixth generation Texan and descendent of one of "Austin's Old Three Hundred", his family received a land grant from Stephen F. Austin in 1827 to establish the town of Matagorda, Texas. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Palacios, organized in 1903 by his grandparents.

Edward served in the Texas National Guard then continued his career as Vice-President of Fiscal Affairs at Texas A&I University, Controller at King Ranch and CEO at Shelton Ranches. After moving to Houston, he started his own companies, specializing in commercial, farm and ranch real estate. Throughout his life, Edward served in numerous community organizations, most recently as President of the Harris County MUD district 359.

Edward was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed jogging, fishing, golfing, and especially quail hunting. A lifelong student of history, he read and studied his family history back to descendents who fought in the Texas War for Independence, the Civil War and the American Revolution, continuing back as far as 747 A.D. in Europe.

The family would like to thank Dr. Fabrizia Faustinella for her care and support and the caring associates at the Hampton, Shadowbriar.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 19th, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Palacios Funeral Home with funeral services held at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios, Texas, on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jay Pennington, Hudson Merle Bates, Sam Ramsey, Coy Lee Ramsey, Dick Kubecka and Bill Kubecka.

Gifts may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Palacios or the Palacios High School Scholarship Fund in Edward Pennington's name, which will be directed to first generation college students accepted to the University of Texas at Austin.

Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home (361) 972-2012.