Capt. Jack Hardin Pennington of Pennington, NJ, and San Antonio, TX, died on March 10, 2013, in his San Antonio home. Capt. Pennington, born in 1923, grew up in Hillsboro, TX, traveled the world while in the Navy, then settled in Pennington, NJ, in 1967, where he resided for more than 40 years, with his loving wife, raising five children. At 17 years of age, Capt. Pennington enrolled in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Although he started in the fall of 1940, as a member of what was expected to be the Class of '44, his class was put on an accelerated schedule because of World War II. Capt. Pennington's class graduated from the academy in 1943 and went straight to war. He spent his naval career in the Pacific Theater, living in California, Hawaii, and Japan, culminating as commanding officer of the USS Cowell DD-547 from July 1959 through June 1961. He returned to Japan to take an assignment on the staff of the Commander Seventh Fleet followed by a tour at the Pentagon, where he worked until he retired from active duty in June 1966. His commendations include the Bronze Star, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Vietnam Medal. Following his naval career, Jack worked as an investment manager for the Storrs Family Trust and the State of New Jersey pension fund. During his transition to his second career, he received a master's of business administration and a masters of finance from Rutgers University. Jack discovered long distance running in his mid-life and never looked back. He regularly competed in New Jersey and Philadelphia races, frequently winning his age group. His favorite race was the marathon. During his racing career, he completed 65 marathons, traveling to races throughout the United States and Europe. But his proudest achievement was qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon 13 times. In the 1970s, Jack became an avid member of the Mercer-Bucks Running Club. Even after his knees stopped him from running, Jack continued to enjoy the club and also trained other runners. He kept his eye out on the road and at the gym for suitable talent. He served as coach, mentor, and promoter of many others interested in competitive running. After learning of his passing, one group of runners, trained by Jack, ran at the local track before daylight with a lantern seated on a chair next to the track in Jack's honor. This group wrote the following in memoriam: "Jack, continue to give strength to our strides. As the cold surrounds us, as the wind pushes us, we know you surround us. As the sun warms us, as the rain cleanses us, we know you are touching us, always challenging us. Thank you for watching over us." Jack celebrated his 90th birthday in San Antonio in January 2013, with all five of his children in attendance. After suffering a heart attack in late February, Jack passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2013, surrounded by his family and his devoted feline friend, Tigger. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty Jo (Hudson) Pennington; and all five of his adoring children, Col. Steven Pennington (USAF) of Woodbridge, VA, Capt. Shelley Pennington (USN) of San Antonio, TX, and Pennington, NJ, Amy (Pennington) Black of San Antonio, TX, Ella Pennington of Los Angeles, CA, and Beth Pennington of Piedmont, CA; as well as nine devoted grandchildren, Allison Pennington of Arlington, VA, Jessica Pennington of Richmond, VA, 2 Lt. Jason Pennington (USAF) of Chapel Hill, N.C., Michael Black of Palm Desert, CA, Sara Black of San Diego, CA, Jenn Black of Santa Cruz, CA, Katie Black of Washington, D.C., and Olivia Pennington Tefft and Carvel Pennington Tefft of Piedmont, CA. Jack and Betty Jo met through fellowship events at the Methodist churches in Oahu, HI, in the early 1950s. They were lifelong Methodists, regularly attending services at Pennington United Methodist Church, while summering in New Jersey and both Alamo Heights Methodist Church and Bethany UMC while residing in San Antonio, TX. Jack will be missed by many for his wit, determination, and joy. In addition to his family, the stock market, competitive running, and all things chocolate, Jack loved sharing meals, thoughts, and memories with his many friends. His favorite part of the newspaper was the business section. He stayed interested in a daily report of the stock market until the very end, passing away following a week when the Dow closed at historic highs more than once. A memorial service will be held in Pennington, NJ, this summer. Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX, 78739. Cards to 7311 Thrush Garden, San Antonio, 78209.

Published in The Times, Trenton, on Apr. 9, 2013