Don was a hard-working, disciplined, and intelligent person who learned many industries and trades during his lifetime. He learned carpentry from his father and had a knack for figuring out how to fix almost anything. His first job, a paper route, was one he spoke about often. He felt that the experience of getting up before everyone else and doing the route on his bicycle, helped teach him the value of hard work and dedication.
He went on to have a career in the automotive industry at American Motors, Volkswagen, and Ford Motor Company, specializing in dealership data management. At different times he was an accountant, bookkeeper, office manager, Men’s suit model, and early computer science technician and programmer.
Don was a self-taught computer wizard, creating and troubleshooting early computerized dealership accounting and inventory systems using punch cards and large reel magnetic tape, during the time period when “one computer took up the whole room,” as he often said. Don studied at Jacksonville University. He also served as a Sergeant with the Army National Guard in Tampa.
One accomplishment in which Don took great pride was earning his private pilot license in St. Augustine, FL. He was always interested in airplanes and learning how to fly had been a lifelong dream.
There was a special place in Don’s heart for travel, and he made it a priority to take family camping trips as frequently as possible. He often reminisced about trips taken to the 1964 New York World’s Fair, 1967 Montreal World Expo, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Nevada, England, Jamaica, and many State and National Parks. He enjoyed visiting National Parks so much that as his “retirement” he spent 15-years living and working at some of his favorites: Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Grand Teton, Glacier Bay, and especially, Mount Rushmore.
Don was never one to miss the opportunity to tell a good story, of which he had many, about travel, work, and other interesting life experiences.
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 69-years, Joyce C. Pendino. He is survived by his children, Patrice Pendino (Don) Goode of Madison, MS, and David M. (Lori) Pendino of Summerville, SC; grandchildren, Brighton (Matthew) Forester of Ridgeland, MS, and Alexandria Pendino of Winston-Salem, NC; brothers, Edward (Sandra) Pendino of Tampa, FL, and Richard (Deborah) Pendino of Simpsonville, SC.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial tribute donations be made to the National Park Foundation online at https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3144&mfc_pref=T&3144.donation=form1.
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