Longtime Rector Fire Department chief Henry Ford Kennedy died Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at his home at age 85.

Born Oct. 16, 1921, in Macon, Ga., to the late Enoch Boyd and Vesta Ann Boyd (Jackson), he also was retired as a journeyman electrician with Entergy Corp. He was married March 3, 1943, to Arena Charlene Kennedy, who preceded him in death.

He also was preceded in death by four brothers, Archie, Bill, Terrell and Dee, and two sisters, Lillie and Dessie.

He was a member of Blooming Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was a World War II Army veteran, having served in the European and Pacific theaters, and was a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary Ford and Joan Kennedy of Gaithersburg, Md., and Roger O. and Jennifer Kennedy of Clarksville; one daughter and son-in-law, Jane Ladonna and Clarence Huffman; 10 grandchildren, Michael Kennedy, Heather Huffman, Michele Romito, Cobi Hendrix, Chanda Anderson, Jon Huffman, Casey Kennedy, Amber Kennedy, Rudy Kennedy and Allyson Kennedy, and nine great-grandchildren, Sawyer Hendrix, Isabella Romito, Parker Hendrick, Cameron Kennedy, Molly Anderson, John Ford Hendrix, Sophie Romito, Carter Kennedy and Isabella Anderson.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Friday, April 13, at Irby Funeral Home Chapel in Rector with Don Morris officiating. Burial was in Cudd Cemetery at Marmaduke. Pallbearers were Earl Clayton, James Lyles, J.D. Chadwick, Hoss Phillips, Mike Dowdy, John Emerson and Doran Thompson.

Irby Funeral Home of Rector was in charge of all arrangements.