Kent Joseph Penningroth

Kent Joseph Penningroth, 62, of Nipomo, California, formerly of Tipton, Iowa, entered eternity October 27, 2021, from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 3, at 4:00 p.m. at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Arroyo Grande, California; and Saturday, November 6, at 10:30 a.m. in Red Oak Grove Church near Tipton, Iowa, with Pastor Tim Starnes, officiating. Burial will follow in Red Oak Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brett Penningroth, Drew Penningroth, Jonah Penningroth, Keith Penningroth, Matthew Penningroth, and Mitchell Penningroth. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Neurofighters, Inc., c/o April Sargeant (805-698-1983), at PO Box 2100, Orcutt, California 93457, or to the ALS Association at donate.als.org.

The family requests guests to wear masks for the indoor service.

Kent was born September 15, 1959, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was the son of Raymond and Rosemary (White) Penningroth. Kent graduated from Tipton High School, earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University and M.S. in Structural Engineering at the University of Idaho. Kent was united in marriage to Camille Gee in Cleveland, Mississippi, June 25, 1988. They were blessed with two sons, Benjamin and Eric. Kent was an engineer for 33 years. He started at Unocal, worked through several mergers, and finished his career with Phillips 66. Kent was a longtime member of Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Arroyo Grande, California. 
Kent’s upbringing on the farm shaped his habits and work ethic. He was a respected and hardworking leader, patient and reliable, and a dedicated and considerate employee. He was the number one fan of his sons in sports and life, and was a fan of the 49ers and Iowa’s basketball and football teams. He was an avid reader of action novels. He enjoyed running, home improvement, yard work, going to The Home Depot, John Wick and other action movies, crime thrillers, old westerns, grilling, coaching, hiking, and a daily Americano at Starbucks. He loved working on projects that made his house a home. He lived with integrity and had a smile that lit up the room. Kent was loyal, nonjudgmental, and let the people around him be themselves. He was a humble observer, at ease in any situation, and met his loved ones where they were. He always had the best interests of others in mind, and taught his kids to be happy for others.

Above all else, Kent loved his family. He had a soft side and thoughtfully took care of his family to the end. His strong Christian faith gave him the comfort and support to face ALS with graciousness, humbleness, and a good sense of humor. He expressed gratitude every single day. His family is endlessly proud to be his wife and kids.  
Kent is survived by his wife, Camille; sons Benjamin (wife Jennifer and daughters Hudson and Cleo) and Eric; his siblings, Ann (Pat) Goodman, Mark (Becky), Tom (Diane), and Mike (Nicole); his mother, Rosemary; mother-in-law, June Gee; father-in-law, Deb (Nancy) Gee; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Kevin and his father, Raymond. 

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