Dr. George W. Pendergrass, Jr., age 87, of Scott City, MO passed away in the presence of family on March 2, 2015. He was born in Beattyville, Kentucky, the son of George W. Pendergrass, Sr. and Alma McDonald Pendergrass. Upon completing high school in his home town, he joined the United States Navy during the end of World War 2 and was given an honorable discharge. Upon completion of his tour of duty, George attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1951. He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity during that time. He was a lifelong fan of the UK Basketball Team. Go Big Blue! In 1953, he married "The Love of His Life" in Lexington, KY, Carolyn Brenneman, of Ohio and daughter of Virgil and Beulah Brenneman who preceded him in death in April of 2014. They were married for 60 years. After graduation he worked for Hadden Films and then the Medina Center in the Louisville, KY Public Library winning the Peabody Award for the "Humanizing of Knowledge." During the next few years he sold insurance while building his own home with his wife and high school students in Louisville. Dr. Pendergrass had a long history of working in education. He taught school in Kentucky and Arizona. He then went on to receive a Masters of Science Degree in Educational Media and Technology from Indiana University. From there, he set up a media center in the Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky during a time of civil unrest earning him an "Exemption from One Year in Hell'." He moved his family to Mt. Vernon, IL where he worked as a media specialist for the Project Uplift, a federally funded project for the city. Dr. Pendergrass moved to the Southeast Missouri area upon joining the faculty and served as the director of Media Services for Southeast Missouri State University for over 15 years. During this time, he received his Education Doctoral degree in Higher Education from Texas A & M in Commerce, TX where he also did some instruction. In 1982 George and Carolyn founded Pendergrass Incorporated, a wholesale spa and personal care company that currently serves retailers all over the world. George was a devoted citizen of the area. He served on the VIP Board for the developmentally disabled in Cape Girardeau, MO for nearly 10 years. He was President of the Scott County Sheltered Workshop District. He served the Kiwanis Club in Scott City since moving into the area and as its president. He was president of the Scott City Park Board during the construction of the city pool at the Scott City Park. He led the drive to set up a Veterans Memorial in the Scott City Park. He served for the city of Scott City's Pavement Committee and Industrial Board. Additionally, alongside his wife, Carolyn, George was involved in many of her projects for the betterment of Scott City. Surviving are children: Alma Joyce Pendergrass-Fajardo of Portland, OR, Dr. David Pendergrass of Kansas City, MO; Alan Pendergrass, of Chaffee, MO, Kathy (and Arthur) Marsyla of Cape Girardeau, and his "adopted" daughter, Kimberly Eyer of Marina del Rey, CA, and grandchildren: Jonathan Pendergrass, Karen Pendergrass, Courtney (and Michael) Haugh, Susan Pendergrass, Angie Pendergrass, Taylor Marsyla, Christopher Marsyla and Khaymanta Fajardo and great grandchildren: Lilian Harper and Amber Huckabee. He was also preceded in death by sister, Mattie Murray, brothers James Paul Pendergrass and Ernest Pendergrass as well as by four half siblings. George is gone but can never be forgotten as his life is intertwined in our family's and our community's life. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations to the Kiwanis Club of Scott City be made in further service to the community. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 5 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Amick Burnett Funeral Home in Scott City, MO. Funeral will be held on Friday, March 6 at 11:00 am at the chapel. Services will be presided by Pastor Jerry Bailey. Interment will be at Lightner Cemetery in Scott City with full military honors.
