Albert Joe Pennington

Albert Joe Pennington is a native of the Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri. He is a 1967 graduate of Van Buren High School and took up the occupation of farming in partnership with his parents D.D. & Eunice Pennington. The boy at the age of nine, was hunting extensively despite his handicap of being born minus a right forearm.

Preceded by a long line of hunting ancestors, he loved nature and studies it tirelessly educating himself as a naturalist. By the time he was fourteen he was writing and selling articles and pictures about Ozark animals that have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines including, “Full Cry,” “Fur, Fish and Game,” and the “Ozark Mountaineer.”

In 1967, he co-authored a book entitled, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with his parents. The animal life of the Ozarks makes up about one third of the book, which covers the first national park site to protect a river system and the only park of its kind in Missouri.

Albert married Maggie in 1979 and had two amazing daughters, Paula Jo and Bobbie Jo. He is now retired and enjoys spending time with family, telling stories, and hunting when he has a chance.