Dr. Henry R. "Hank" Pardon

Dr. Henry R. “Hank” Pardon, 85, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Wellington Parc while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky.  He was born August 30, 1938 in Daviess County to the late Dr. Frank Pardon, Sr. and Mary Rose Karn Pardon.  Dr. Pardon was the third Pardon to practice optometry in his family in Owensboro.  His great grandfather was an optometrist and practiced in the late 1880’s and early 1900’s.  A native of Owensboro, Dr. Pardon attended St. Louis University and was graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry.  After his graduation in 1961, he passed both the Kentucky State Board and the National Board Examinations in Optometry.  He was a U. S. Navy veteran and practiced optometry in the Navy for three and a half years where he attained the rank of lieutenant.  Dr. Pardon was a member of the Kentucky Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. 

Dr. Pardon was of the Catholic faith.  He loved keeping up with the weather and was a weather spotter for Ron Rhodes who was with the Eyewitness News Team WEHT/WTVW in Evansville.  He enjoyed traveling, was an avid Indiana University basketball and football fan, and loved his poodle dogs.  He also enjoyed landscaping and working with his garden pond.  Dr. Pardon was loved by everyone he met.  He was also preceded in death by his brother, Frankie Pardon, Jr.

Surviving are his sister, Ann Mitchell of Paducah; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family, Robyn Edgell and Sharon Kulka, both of Owensboro, and Cameron Pate, Gavin Edgell, and Lillian Edgell who he was like a grandfather to.

A funeral Mass for Dr. Pardon will be Noon Thursday, January 4, at St. Pius Tenth Catholic Church followed by military honors.  Visitation will be from 9 AM until 11:30 AM Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.  Burial will be later at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, P. O. Box 61420, Staten Island, New York  10306.  Messages and condolences to the family can be shared at www.glenncares.com.