Michael Leonard Pendley, 64, has gone to his heavenly Father. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Tom & Mary and his uncle, John “Len” Adams. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Vicki, son Jordan, daughter Tara Schoenbeck (Mike), grandchildren, Mia & Michael, brother Tom Pendley (Betty), sister Linda Chaney (Ken), niece Cassie Miller (Wendell); great niece Sara Opal; nephew Jeremy Berger; his extended family Judy Burkhead, Susan Lee (Darryl), John Gilmore, Steve Gilmore (Christi) and a multitude of friends.
Mike had a passion for music and was an accomplished, self-taught musician who mastered both the guitar and piano. He won his first guitar on the midway at Fountain Ferry Park, borrowing money from his mom to play the game. Mike was extremely proud that his son Jordan inherited his talent and shared his love of music.
Mike, a 1967 graduate of PRP High School, and a Veteran of the Vietnam war served in the 25th Infantry in Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation medal, the National Defense Service Air Medal and Sharpshooter award. He discovered his love of flying in the service and when he returned home obtained his commercial pilots license, and was a flight instructor for many years. Mike lived his entire life in Louisville, where he worked for many years alongside his father Tom at Smith’s Furniture. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel and was proud of his south-end roots. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy., with burial to follow in Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff, Ky. Visitation will be Wednesday 2 – 8 PM. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Kentucky Humane Society.