Jon Griffin Pennebaker passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021. He was born on August 5, 1942 in Vicksburg, MS. He grew up on Riverside Farms at Smith Station, MS. by the Big Black River. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest Lee Pennebaker and Velma Lord Pennebaker, sister Lynn Pennebaker Birdsong Strate, and brother Claude Lord Pennebaker.

Jon graduated from Raymond High school in 1960. He graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1964 and followed with graduate school at the University of Mississippi in 1964-65. After graduation, Jon joined the Peace Corps serving in Southeast Asia. He taught English in Thailand after his Peace Corps service. Jon loved international and United States travel.

Jon was a longtime manager of Waldenbooks in Jackson, MS. He later became the regional Medicaid director in Vicksburg, MS until his retirement.

Jon enjoyed reading, history, poetry and literature. He wrote a Mississippi gardening blog from 2005-2010. Jon loved Mississippi and Louisiana history. He was a frequent visitor and supporter of New Orleans food, culture and music. Jon was a smart, informed and intelligent thinker with a quick, sharp sense of humor.

No funeral services will be held as it was Jon's wish to be cremated and his ashes to be spread by family members at a later date.