Winton Michael Pennington

Winton Michael Pennington (born March 21, 1947) of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024 - Memorial Day. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Pamela Lowden-Pennington and parents Winton and Eloise Pennington. Michael is survived by his loving siblings Teresa and Gary Schultz, Patricia Wilson, Kaye Westcott, Kathy and Thomas Rimmer and numerous nieces and nephews.

After graduating Jackson High School, Michael attended Jackson Community College. In 1967, he entered the United States Air Force. Michael served his country as a Sergeant in Vietnam from 1969-1970, working as a Supply Services Specialist. Michael received an Honorable Discharge in 1971, with multiple decorations. After his military service, Michael attended Murray State University summer quartet academy. It was at that time Michael was encouraged by Don Butler, founder of the US Gospel Music Association, to pursue his goal of royalty accounting administration.  After graduating Siena Heights University in 1975 with a degree in accounting, Michael took a position with the Nashville premiere gospel music company, Benson Music. Michael struck out on his own in 1981 and formed Publishing Administrative Services, Inc., and from his Nashville 16th Ave. Music Row, handled royalty administration for the leading gospel music artists of the 1980-90s. Michael loved to quote words from the song: "God bless the boys who make the noise on 16th Avenue." He was also instrumental in the marketing and management of Sgt. Barry Sadler’s publishing catalog, including the 1966 #1 hit, The Ballad of the Green Berets.

Michael & Pamela were active members of the Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene, where they enjoyed participating in Sunday school class, dinner club and community outreach. Michael had several hobbies that he enjoyed, including: playing his trombone at church and with the Bucyrus, IL Passion Play, racing RC giant scale airplanes, and showing his prized custom 1965 Ford Mustang at regional auto show competitions.

When Pamela passed after 48 years of marriage, Michael chose to move back to Jackson, Michigan, where he could be near his loyal family. Virtually not a day passed without a cherished visit from his devoted sisters Teri and Patti. Michael also enjoyed many a sunny afternoon with his buddy Gary, either tooling around town in his 65 Mustang, or cheering on his favorite team inside the BIG HOUSE, at countless University of Michigan football games.

Michael’s sisters wish to express their gratitude and thank Brooke, Marcy and Talina and all the staff at  Countryside Manor Assisted Living, along with Tammy and Cheyenne, of Careline Hospice, for the warm, gentle, and considerate grace with which they cared for Michael. Services and visitation will be held for Michael at Watson Funeral Chapel, 2590 Spring Arbor Rd., Jackson MI, on Friday, July 19, from 10:00am-11:00am (visitation), with funeral service beginning at 11:00am. A private interment will take place with family.

He will be dearly missed by all of those who knew, loved, and cared for him. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Careline Hospice Health Group, 801 Rosehill Rd., Jackson, MI 49202. Phone: (517) 212-2006, or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Winton Michael Pennington, please visit our floral store.