Alfred Victor Pennock, 91

Alfred “Al” Victor Pennock of Libby passed away peacefully Feb. 27, 2020, at the age of 91. Al was born on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1928, to George Victor and Clara Ellen Pennock, where he joined sister Phyllis Nadine in Horton, Ore. A few years later sister Dixie Lee was born.

“Fritz,” as close friends and family called him, graduated from Triangle High School in Blachly, Ore., in 1946, where he lettered in basketball and football. Al joined the U.S. Air Force on Feb. 13, 1947. He took his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and was sent to radar school in Boca Raton, Fla.

Al proudly served his country until 1968. He was involved in the Korean Conflict in 1951 with the 49th Fighter-Bomber Group. In 1952, he was reassigned to the Yaak Radar Station outside of Troy. This was how he met Jeanne Cole Olson and her young son, Randy Lee, of Libby. They were married in October 1953 and shortly thereafter were assigned to North Bend, Ore. Their three children, Patty, Larry and Donnie, were all born in nearby Coos Bay.

Al’s assignments then took the family to Beaver Lodge in Alberta, Canada from1958 to 1961; Klamath Falls, Ore., from 1961 to 1966; and Las Vegas from 1966 to 1968. He retired from the USAF on Dec. 1, 1968.

During Al’s years of service, the family traveled annually to visit grandparents and relatives in Oregon and Montana during the holidays. They also traveled to other destinations including: Crater Lake (One of Al’s favorites; he liked feeding the squirrels and taking in the beautiful scenery), Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Lake Mead, Disneyland, trips to the Oregon coast as well as many camping trips.

Al’s retirement took the family back to Troy from 1969 to 1971. He worked at Len’s Chevron until he was hired on with W.R. Grace (Zonolite) in Libby in 1971 where he stayed employed until he could fully retire in 1999. In late 1971, Al and Jeanne divorced and he moved to Libby, where he met his second wife Betty Lou Case Volkenand. They married in February 1975 and he was joined by her four teenaged children: Duane, Jerry (Dean), David and Vicki.

Al became actively involved with VFW Post 1548 during his time in Libby. He served in many positions as well as an honor guard. In 2006, he was presented a plaque for meritorious and distinguished service.

Al enjoyed the outdoors, fly fishing, hunting, picking berries, gathering wood and just taking in the scenery. He also loved bowling and played softball for many years during his time in the USAF.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara; sister, Dixie Lee; his wife, Betty Lou; stepson, Randy Lee; and grandson, Larry “Duane” Pennock.

Al is survived by his sister, Phyllis Nadine Frazier of Turner, Ore.; daughter-in-law, Sherry of Troy; daughter, Patricia “Patty” Drane and husband Rick of Kalispell; sons, Larry and wife, Toni Pennock, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Donnie and wife Karol of Hayden, Idaho; Duane; Dean; David Volkenand; Vicki; and 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby on April 18, 2020, at 1 p.m.