Burt Pendleton, Jr.

Burt Pendleton died suddenly on September 18, 2026. He had the unique ability of being both street-wise and book smart. He could tell jokes and stories like none other, and get as big a laugh at himself as those he was telling jokes to.

He was born to Burt Pendleton Sr. and Lois Roberts-Pendleton in Sacred Heart Hospital on November 21, 1944. He began school at Stevens Elementary, then on to Central Valley Junior High (now known as North Pines Junior High), and Bowdish Junior High. He graduated from Central Valley High School in 1963, where he was a runner on the track team. He ran Bloomsday six times with his brother, Doug. He held a sharpshooter medal with the 161st Infantry National Guard. Most of all, he loved to play golf. He was a charter member at Liberty Lake-Meadowood golf course, and later played at Wandermere Golf Course. He was hired at Northern Pacific Railroad in 1967 as a brakeman, and retired in 2004 as a BNSF conductor.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of almost 47 years; his son Burton E. Pendleton III (Leeann), his sister Stephanie Melville and family in Wisconsin, brother Robert “Doug” Pendleton (Sandra) and family of Spokane, sister Lois Ann Miller (Henry) and family of Spokane, and Evelyn Ainley (David) and family of Spokane. Shirley’s daughter Brenda Ridenour (Randy). Granddaughter Noelle Miller. Brad Burns (Chong) and family. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Sue Pendleton, and parents, Lois and Burton Pendleton Sr. As well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family thanks our many kind and thoughtful friends at The Monkey Bar and Three Sisters Restaurant, who have become family to us.

We will all miss his love, generosity, humor (terrific one-liners), and wisdom.

The memorial will be on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 1 pm at Riplinger Funeral Home.