Kenneth Botsford Hennessy

Kenneth Botsford Hennessy (Ken), 85, passed peacefully on August 6th from complications from dementia. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Hannah Hennessy, daughters Karan Hennessy (Bob) Magee and Kelly Hennessy (Tony Brock), sister Sandra Hennessy Evans, nephews Park (Dina) Evans and Lee (Jamie) Evans. Ken was born on January 24, 1940, to parents Kenneth Kenner and Ruth Warnke Hennessy in Decatur, Alabama. After moving around the country, they settled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where Ken attended the University of Alabama receiving a mathematics degree and playing his cornet in the Million Dollar Band. After graduation, he followed his parents to Talladega, Alabama where he taught at Dixon Junior High School. Luckily his father, the band director at Talladega High School, introduced him to the lovely Ann Hannah. Ann had two daughters from a previous marriage, and it was love at first sight for the four of them. During his time in Talladega, Ken enlisted in the National Guard and served over 6 years in the Army reserve. He was able to use his talent playing the cornet to play Taps for many fallen soldiers. Ken moved the family to Dekalb County Georgia where he continued teaching while completing his master's in education from Georgia State University. He proudly held positions as high school principal until he retired in 1993. After retirement, Ken and Ann returned to Talladega to be closer to family. There he led the choir at Salem Presbyterian Church. Ken had always enjoyed sharing his beautiful tenor voice with various choirs over the years. In 2006, Ken and Ann moved to their new chapter in Ocala, Florida where he was able to pursue his two favorite passions, golf and antique collecting. He was particularly passionate about collecting anything Crimson Tide related. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Marion County.