Tony Pennington

A private family service to celebrate the life of Tony Pennington’s 71 years of life will be scheduled at a later date. He died peacefully in his sleep January 4, 2025 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Tony was born July 22, 1953 to L.V. and Mildred Standard Pennington in Artesia, NM and was a resident of NM most of his life. His childhood was spent roaming the massive expanse of oil field land in and around Loco Hills, NM accompanied by his BB gun and his dog Tippy. At the tender age of 14, Pennington was introduced to the grueling work associated with the oil field when he started going to work with his father. He never looked back. This started a lifelong journey of learning and ultimately earned him the respect of his peers and family alike as he became highly knowledgeable in the field as a consultant. His work ethic was unparalleled. Tony never missed a day of work and he never failed to provide for his family. His career spanned over 50 years.

As a young man he met the love of his life, Margaret Downs, and they were married July 28, 1973. Not long after marrying, Tony was introduced to Jesus Christ and found a passion there that became a very deep very true relationship with his savior. He carried around an old “brick and mortar” Bible that was falling apart at the seems with notes and highlighting in almost every margin. He was respected by many for his knowledge of the Bible and was seen filling in for many preachers in their pulpits throughout the years. He led bible studies in his home and at church and lead prison ministry as well. He loved to spread the news of a Jesus who loves you and can wipe away any regret. He didn’t have a favorite verse because the entire book was so vital to who he was. He had words of wisdom that will be imprinted on the hearts of his loved ones until we see him again. He would say “When someone wants to give you a gift, no matter how great or how small, never refuse to accept it, accept it with humility and grace because that way you aren’t steeling their blessing.”

The lifelong passion that Tony had for hunting, for nature and especially his love of Jesus has passed to each of his 3 children, Shales Zuniga,  Shelsa Halsell with son in love Jason Lee Halsell  and his son Tony Pennington with daughter in love Rachel Pennington; his 11 grandchildren, Jaron Halsell, Kinnah Pennington, Taylan Blackford and grandson in love Colton Blackford, Chasee Kraft and son in law Josiah Kraft, Talyah Pennington, Colten Pennington, Audrina Pennington, Alexis Pennington, Adelynn Pennington and Ava Pennington;  and even to the 7 great grandchildren. His legacy of faith will flow on through many generations like a replication of Genesis 17:7. His faith is our joy.

He was preceded in death by both his parents L.V. and Mildred Pennington as well as his brothers Milton and Leo Pennington, his nephew in law Larry Muncy and nephews Leon Eldon Pennington, Milton Christopher Pennington and Chad Pennington. There has to be some pretty serious heavenly camping going on right about now and Tony is hearing the bugling of majestic bull elk across the canyons for the first time in decades.

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