Edward Ray Fennell, 84, of Hendersonville, Tennessee passed away after an extended illness on Sunday, October 17, 2021.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, June Fennell, their three children, Michael (and Jackie) Fennell of Madison, Alabama, Suzanne Fennell of Nashville, Tennessee, and Kenneth (and Erin) Fennell of Smithville, Tennessee. He had four grandchildren, Carly (and Ryan) York, Anna Fennell, Julia Fennell, and Peter Fennell, along with several grand dogs. He also leaves behind a brother, Robert Wayne (and Gayle) Fennell of Hendersonville, Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Alfred Fennell and Mary Sue (Sutton) Fennell.
Ray was born in Old Hickory, Tennessee in 1936, lived in Madison during his grade school years, and later moved to Hendersonville where he graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1955. Ray went on to attend Tennessee Technological University. While there, he joined the ROTC program and graduated with a degree in Mathematics in 1959. Upon graduation, he went into the Army as a second lieutenant where he was stationed in Okinawa and then at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland. At that time, Ray met his wife June and they were married in 1966. Shortly after, he left the military as a Captain to join the National Security Agency (NSA) as a data analyst. Ray lived with his wife and three children in Maryland, and a short stint in Colorado. From 1977 to 1979, he went on to further his education and obtained a Master’s in Command, Control, and Communications at the Naval Post Graduate School in California. Ray retired in 1995 after 35 years of Government service and moved with his wife back to Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Ray was a loving husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren including the grand dogs. He loved boating, fishing, and living at the lake. Over the years, he was a part-time tax preparer, real estate agent, and landlord. Ray also volunteered as a Sumner County Auxiliary Sheriff, and Board Member at Hickory Bay Towers. He is a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church.
Please join us in celebrating his life on Monday, October 25th, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with Rosary said from 12:30 pm-1:00 pm. Mass will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm with interment immediately following at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
