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Ken Hensley of Hoschton, Georgia went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, December 25, 2018. Ken was born in Erwin, Tennessee on November 17, 1956. He was the loving husband of Beth Hensley for thirty-two years and adoring father of their wonderful daughter, Abby Hensley.
Ken grew up in Maryland and joined the US Navy in 1974 where he served on the aircraft carriers the USS Midway during the Vietnam War and later the USS Kennedy; serving his country for six years.
Ken loved many things … his horses, motorcycling, waterskiing, climbing mountains, scuba diving, and bicycling; he was never afraid to try anything. Kenny’s heart never strayed far from his grandfather’s farm in the mountains of east Tennessee, returning each summer to be with family. He eventually realized his dream to own land and horses and run heavy equipment by establishing “Trinity Farm” in Hoschton.
Ken always had a fascination with cars and began his career with Honda in Rockville, Maryland. After Ken and Beth moved to Georgia, they opened Hensley Automotive in Hoschton and later in Buford.
Kenny was strong but also gentle and kind. If you were his friend, you were loved and you were in his heart forever. Ken made sure his friends and family knew they were loved. He came to know and love Jesus as his Savior, which was evident through his love for his family, friends and the church. During his walk with the Lord he became an elder at his church.
Ken is loved by many and will be missed so much!
Blessed with a large loving family, he is survived by his wife Beth, daughter Abby and by two sisters, Yuma Joyce Herring (husband Bill), Rose Mary Wilkes (husband John), and his extended family through his marriage to Beth as well as many nieces, nephews, and an abundance of great nieces and nephews of whom he dearly loved. He is also survived by many cousins that were more like brothers and sisters than cousins. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Russell Hensley and Willa Dean Shelton Hensley of Afton, Tennessee.
A memorial service will be held in Ken’s honor at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church, 4675 Winder Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542.
Messages of condolence may be mailed to Beth Hensley, PO Box 148 Hoschton, GA 30548.
In lieu of flowers the family would like donations made to: Mason Guest House , 1555 Shoup Ct., Decatur, GA 30033 or Grace Community Church , 4907 Golden Pkwy, St. #500 Buford, GA 30518 in memory of Kenneth J. Hensley. Georgia Cremation, 3570 Buford Hwy#202, Duluth, GA 30096 (678) 584-0914 is assisting family.
Joyce Herring says
Buddy, I love you more than you will ever know. I will miss you so much, but I will always remember your promise to us. “ I will be waiting at the feet of Jesus for you.” Means so much to me that I have a promise of seeing you again someday. Always holding you close within my heart . Jody
Joyce Herring says
Buddy, I love you more than you will ever know. I will miss you so much, but I will always remember your promise to us. “ I will be waiting at the feet of Jesus for you.” Means so much to me that I have a promise of seeing you again someday. Always holding you close within my heart .
Tom Noden says
Ken was the closest thing to a brother I ever had. In 2002 I moved to Florida and as a result wasn’t able to see Ken and Beth as much as I would have liked. When we did make contact every year or two it was as if we had never missed a beat. In April of 2017 I was flown to Nashville for a liver transplant. As they were attending me in recovery I looked up to see Ken’s smiling face. One of the nurses asked if they could help and he replied “I’m just here to see my buddy”. To this day I’m touched and honored by his friendship. I miss my friend terribly.
Sarah Martin says
Beth and Abby,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Ken was a wonderful man, and the line in his remembrance that said “Kenny was strong but also gentle and kind” perfectly describes him.
During my time on staff at Ivy Creek, I interacted with him regularly. His beaming, kind smile was the first thing I’d always see or hear (yes, hear—his smile came through on the phone!). I was always impressed with his sincerity and how he shared Christ’s love by caring for others.
I am praying that you would feel God’s supernatural peace and experience His love and care during this time of grief. And I am praying that there would be many moments of joy as you recall all the happy memories of Ken.
Sarah Martin
Karen Palmer says
With deepest sympathy
Rose says
Kenny you were always my hero, my big brother, the person I called upon when I was troubled and needed comfort. At times you comforted me and at times you put me straight! Thank you! I tried my hardest buddy to help you beat this cancer. I’m sorry it just wasn’t in God’s plan. You did so much for so many during your time on this earth and I know you are there in heaven waiting for me and the rest of us to join you. I love you big guy!! It’s not goodbye, it’s only until we meet again!
Beth, Abby I will always be here for you and with you. I love you both so much! I’m so sorry!
Maynard Kristopher R. says
Beth and Abby, we, the Maynard family, grieve with you. You know how we loved Ken, one of my dearest friends – he was willing to lend a helping hand and say “yes” to some crazy adventure. I treasure the memories I have have with him working, playing, adventuring, and ministering side by side as elders. I am comforted knowing that he is where we shall all be soon, with our Lord and Savior. He was faithful to God’s call in hi s life and I know he heard the words I long to hear “well done my good and faithful secant”.
In the meantime, many of us stand by ready to serve you and Abby as we continue our march Heavenward. We love you.
Amy Snell says
Beth and Abby, the Snell Family is praying for you today and in the coming weeks. We remember Ken so fondly. He was a wonderful and kind man, and his love for Christ shined through in everything he did. Love and prayers, David and Amy Snell
Dennis Koning says
Beth and Abby, we love you and grieve with you. We will also rejoice with you. Ken was a good friend and we enjoyed the time that we spent with him. We stand ready to serve any needs you have.
Dennis Laurie and family
Michael Trippany says
Beth and Abby, Pam and I are here for you guys for anything. Ken wasn’t just my employer and coworker. He was a great friend, guidance counselor and life coach. Ken has been like a father to me over the last few years and I will cherish that for the rest of my life. Ken was loved and respected by all and I will never forget the positive influences he had on me.
love,
Mike and Pamela Trippany
Connie Puckett Harper says
One of the kindest men I know. Kenny was real. He was strong. He put his whole heart into whatever he did. My heart goes out to Beth and Abby. God bless you and ease your pain. Praying for you to feel God’s peace. Love my old friends.
Bob & Andrea Burnham says
Halfway around the world, we’re grieving at the news of Ken’s passing, but rejoicing that he is with the One who loves him perfectly who has provided a permanent, joyful home with Himself for all eternity. We didn’t have a lot of time with Ken, but the times that we did have made it clear what a caring, Godly man he was. A few years ago we were ending our furlough and about to return to Ukraine but couldn’t sell our van. “Don’t worry about that! I’ll take care of it!” were his word (and he did!), and then he took us to the airport and sent us off with a huge smile and an encouraging hug. There were other times as well when he reached out to us, asking if he could help us and inviting us to his home. We appreciated that so much, he was truly the hands and feet of Christ. Our prayers are with his family and church friends – he will be missed.
Carolyn Hilton says
Ken and I met at his shop in Hoschton when I took my work truck to his shop for repairs. I made the mistake of telling him I did horse rescue along with doing engineering to pay the bills and that was the start of our friendship. It has been 10 years and I still have his paint horse that he gifted me with, LOL! He was one heck of a man who I admired and someone I will greatly miss. Happy Trails my dear friend!
Jamie Smith says
Jamie Smith
January 12, 2019 at 7:53 am
As I sit here in front of my computer screen. I am thinking back in the short period of time that the Lord gave me to build my relationship with Ken. We often met at his favorite office space in Braselton( The Cracker Barrel.) We would sit and laugh about life and also cry sometime about it. Ken never let me down he was a true friend and always had my back. He was the type of guy that if you called him at any time he would answer his phone and be their for you. Would Ken speak his mind and tell you the truth even if you did not want to hear it but needed to? Dang Skippy! That was my brother and I truly mean that. I have never had a brother growing up in life until I met Ken. I remember the phone call that day I was sitting on my front porch and Ken told me he had cancer. As I wept he consoled me and told me everything was going to be alright. Really the only thing he was concerned about was Beth and Abby. As Ken continued to get sicker his relationship with the Lord grew stronger. Brother Ken I miss you and as I type out these letters I have to stop and wipe the tears from my eyes. We weep but you are rejoicing in the presence of your Lord. Psalms 50:5- Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” Yes Brother you have been gathered until to the Lord. You also have been faithful to your friends and to strangers because you are faithful. I know this verse speaks of animal sacrifice. But Ken your life was a sacrifice for others as you entered into this covenant with our Lord. Your life was a sweet aroma to God and to others. I will miss our meetings in your office but look forward to our eternity together. Love in Christ Jamie
Winston and Gaye Church and family says
To all of the family left behind, I am so pained for your loss and the emptiness that you are left with – but our loss here is temporary. Because no doubt that as we miss Kenny and the wonderful person that he was here, – he is overjoyed with the whooshing of angels wings in the presence of God. And you will see him again and in a place where he has no more pain. And rejoice with him where he waits for you. Love and prayers to all of you.