Paul Albert Pennington, beloved son of Charles and Maxine Pennington, was born on October 20, 1942, in Winfield, Kansas. He departed this life on June 2, 2025 in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 82.
Paul graduated from El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Kansas, with the class of 1960. On June 22, 1962, he married the love of his life, Marjorie Mae Ball. Together, they were blessed with two sons, David and Bruce. After two years of college, Paul answered the call to serve his country. He proudly served in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of dedicated service.
A frequent instructor at the Army Signal School, Paul fondly returned to this role between assignments. His teaching talent emerged early: shortly after graduating with honors from a course at the school, he was asked to instruct that same course while awaiting his first assignment near Paris, France. Of all his assignments, Camp Darby in Tuscany, Italy, remained a cherished favorite, a country he joyfully revisited many times in retirement.
During his dedicated military service, Paul served in the Vietnam War. Among his honors, he received the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with six loops, all attesting to his long and honorable service.
Paul’s military training deepened his passion for electronics, ultimately inspiring him to build his first personal computer in 1976. Using a design from Southwestern Technical Products Corporation (SWTPC), he painstakingly etched the circuit boards and assembled all the electronic components by hand. This hands-on project marked the beginning of a lifelong fascination with experimenting with and upgrading computers and radios. A regular at Hamfests and electronics conventions throughout the Southeast, Paul found great joy in connecting with fellow enthusiasts and exploring new technologies.
Following his military career, Paul and his wife Marjorie, embarked on a new venture in the early 1980s, founding Pennington Computer Inc. Their well-known retail store on Shartom Drive in Augusta, GA, became a successful small business which served the community for over fifteen years.
Paul’s commitment to his community extended to volunteering as editor of the monthly newsletter for the Clarks Hill Savannah River Area (CSRA) Computer Club and he generously gave his time to the Augusta Genealogy Society.
Paul nurtured a lifelong love for music, embracing a wide array of genres. His musical journey began in childhood with playing the violin. He was a devoted patron of the Augusta Symphony and frequently attended Augusta area concerts, enjoying everything from American folk music and classical performances to watching his son Bruce play rock-n-roll at Augusta venues. Later in life, while in his 70s, Paul enthusiastically took up playing the mandolin.
Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marjorie, and his parents, Charles and Maxine. He is survived by his brother, Chuck (Marilyn) Pennington of Fort Smith, Arkansas; his sons, David (Roxanne) Pennington of Huntsville, Alabama, and Bruce Pennington of Grovetown, Georgia; two grandchildren, Eric Alexander Pennington of Milton, Florida, and Rachel Harden (Ty) of Augusta, Georgia; nephews, Chris (Chelsea) Snell of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and David A. (Kerri) Pennington of Bentonville, Arkansas; and one great-granddaughter, Sy’nia.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to friends and loved ones for their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at donorservices.alz.org.
With sincere appreciation,
The Family of Paul A. Pennington
