Kenneth Courtney

COURTNEY, KENNETH Kenneth Edward Courtney of Navarre, Florida passed away on November 5, 2014 at the age of 77. Ken was born on February 7, 1937 in Whiting, Indiana. He went to school in the Chicago area, graduating from Thornton Fractional High School in 1955. After high school, Ken served in the United States Air Force for four years and was stationed in Japan and Korea. After his return, Ken married Janice Young on July 23, 1960. He began college at Western Michigan University in 1961, where he eventually earned a Bachelor's degree in Special Education. After college, the family moved to Sturgis, Michigan where Ken began teaching. He taught elementary school and was eventually principal of Holy Angels Catholic School in Sturgis. During this time, Ken went to school at night, pursuing his graduate coursework. He completed a Master's in Psychology from The University of St. Francis. Ken then worked in the psychology field and eventually retired in 1998 as Director of Out-Patient Mental Health Services for Adults in Macomb County, Michigan. In his spare time, Ken loved to play sports, especially basketball and baseball. He was scouted for Major League Baseball in the late 50's. Later in life, Ken took great pride in watching his grandchildren play sports as well. Ken's favorite teams were the Chicago Cubs and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was a life member of the Order of the Elks and was very involved in the organization for several decades. Ken is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Mitchell, his father Leonard, Mitchell and his brother, Donald Courtney. He is survived by his wife, Jan Courtney; daughter, Kelly Hernandez and her husband Reginald of Conroe, Texas; sons, Keith Courtney and his wife Trina of Arlington Heights, Illinois, Jaime Courtney and his wife Jane of Bremerton, Washington; and six grandchildren: Courtney Larkin, Nicholas Hernandez, Jack Courtney, Ben Courtney, Alexandria Courtney and Wyatt Courtney. A funeral mass will be held for Ken Courtney at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2014 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Parchment, Michigan. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan with Military Honors. The Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Emerald Coast Hospice for the care given to Ken prior to his passing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans at www.nchv.org .