Obituary of Donald Penegor

Donald F. Penegor passed away unexpectedly at his Frankfort home on June 3, 2013. He was born January 28, 1930 to Clyde E. and Leona Penegor in Ontonagon, Michigan. His father owned logging enterprises, and Don grew up in various lumber camps in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As a high school senior in 1948, he was a member of the U.P. Champion Ontonagon Polar Bears, the only basketball team in Ontonagon history to go “downstate” to compete in the Michigan state tournament. Don served his country as an Army Staff Sergeant in the Korean War, 1951-53. Upon his return home he attended Michigan State University, where he met Merrilyn Lester on a blind date in 1955. They were married in Royal Oak, Michigan June 29, 1957. Don graduated from Michigan State with a B.S. in Landscape Architecture, and his first job was with the Cleveland, Ohio Department of Parks. In 1961 Don and his family moved to Frankfort, Kentucky, where he accepted a position with the Kentucky Department of Parks. He was active in the planning of many state parks and resorts, including the Kentucky Horse Park. He was twice made a Kentucky Colonel and was a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. After retiring as the Director of Planning in 1988, Don and his wife split their time between Frankfort and Lehigh Acres, Florida, where he enjoyed boating, fishing, golf, woodworking, and spending time with his many friends and family members. Don is survived by his wife of 56 years, Merrilyn Lester Penegor, and his children Tom Penegor (Belinda), Barbara Penegor, Susan (Joe) Warren, and Scott (Shannon) Penegor. He enjoyed his 7 grandchildren Carter, Rachael, Keegan, Garcia, Matthew, Christian, and Olivia. He is also survived by his brother, Robert Penegor (Bonnie) of Brookfield, Wisconsin, his brother-in-law Jerome Drake of Iron Mountain, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Yvonne and grandson Garcia. He will be missed and loved by many. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 7 at Rogers Funeral Home in Frankfort. Visitation is Thursday, June 6 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The family has asked in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass or the American Heart Association.