Kevin Lee Pennington, of Abingdon VA passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 3, 2017.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Laura Dodson-Pennington of Abingdon, VA; daughter, Sarah Pennington of Cullowhee NC; brother, Sam Pennington and his wife, Sue Turgon Pennington of Peculiar MO; sister, Peggy Pennington of Coffeyville KS; sister, Elaine Pennington VanWinkle and her husband, Dick VanWinkle, of Coffeyville KS; three nieces, three great nieces, one nephew; and a large extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Noel Pennington and Dortha (Osgood) Pennington; his grandparents; and other loved ones.

Kevin was born May 3rd, 1957 in Coffeyville, Kansas – a welcomed, if surprising, addition to the family of Noel and Dortha Pennington. He was and would always remain the baby of the family who his older siblings felt the need to protect. This was ironic, because Kevin grew up to be a giant of a man – but also one of the kindest, gentlest people you would ever meet. At a young age, Kevin discovered a love of football and track sports – and also became a committed outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting with his family and friends.

While Kevin loved sports and outdoor pursuits, he was also a scholar. After graduating from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville in 1975, he attended Coffeyville Community College and then finished his undergraduate degree in 1979 at Pittsburg State University (Kansas), where he studied Physics. He would go on to complete a Masters in Particle Physics in 1981 at the same school. After several years of teaching at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M in Miami (Oklahoma), Kevin received his Education Specialist degree from Pittsburg State University (Kansas) in 1987 in curriculum development and adult education.

Kevin was a gifted teacher, who loved spending time with his students in the classroom and lab. Of all the awards and commendations Kevin received in his lifetime, he was most proud to have been twice recognized (in 1989 and 1991) as a Master Teacher by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD), while teaching at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, KS.

It was at Cowley, in 1991, where Kevin met the love of his life, Laura Dodson, and embarked on the great adventure of becoming a husband and father. Kevin and Laura married in July of 1994 and welcomed their beautiful daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, in October of 1995. After Kevin completed his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on science education at Kansas State University, the family moved to North Carolina where Kevin joined the faculty of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee NC. At Western, Kevin would set himself apart as a tireless champion of the community college and serve as a beloved mentor to many.

Kevin’s life was saved by an organ transplant in 2010 – and he was unwaveringly grateful for his donor family and physicians. While Kevin’s post-transplant life wouldn’t allow him to return to teaching, he continued pursuing the things he loved including fishing and lure making, playing his guitars and singing, being outdoors, watching football, and studying history and science. He was a precious soulmate to Laura, and cherished father to Sarah. He was kind, devoted, jolly, brilliant, and exuberant – and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time in both North Carolina and Kansas. Condolences may be offered at 19467 Old Jonesboro Road, Abingdon VA 24211. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a college fund established for Kevin and Laura’s daughter with the North Carolina State Employee’s Credit Union, ATTN: Sarah Pennington at P.O. Box 1925, Sylva NC 28779.


FROST FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES OF ABINGDON, VA. ARE HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF MR. PENNINGTON.