Hugh “Ken” Kendall III
Hugh “Ken” Kendall III, 75, of Chattanooga, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 when he entered heaven to spend eternity with his heavenly Father, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the dearly loved in his life who preceded him in death.
Hugh was a highly admired and respected attorney in Chattanooga for over 50 years, but his most important and most cherished roles were as Husband to Kay Marie (deceased 2023), Father to Jonathan and David (and their wives Colleen and JanaRae), Grandfather to Caleb and Leo, Brother-in-Law to Carol Minnis (husband Jeff, daughter Carrie and her husband Niles Schambers), Teacher and Friend to Hundreds (if not Thousands), and as an unashamed Follower and Ambassador of Jesus in his daily walk of his Christian faith. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his life and impact will be celebrated.
Hugh was born to Hugh F. Kendall Jr. and Grace Hyatt Kendall in Chattanooga on January 27, 1949 but raised in Ducktown, TN. He returned to Chattanooga for high school as a boarding student at The McCallie School where he graduated in 1966. After McCallie, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for both his undergraduate studies and law school. There he also met and married his life-mate and sweetheart, Kay Marie Burns of Maryville, TN.
In 1972, Hugh and Kay Marie moved to Chattanooga where he began his law career at Shumacker and Thompson. After 16 years there, he opened his solo practice – Kendall Law Firm – where he continued to practice and serve his clients until his death. During his career, Hugh was recognized with several awards and served in numerous leadership roles, including President of The Estate Planning Council of Chattanooga, Chairman of the Tax, Probate, and Trust Law section of the Tennessee Bar Association, and Fellow, Regent, and Chair with the American College of Trust and Estate Council.
While his law career and achievements were impressive, Hugh, or ‘Ken” or “Kenny” as he is known by many of his friends, would hold in much higher esteem the wonderful personal relationships he nurtured and developed with so many people who he loved and who also loved him…none more so than his 53-year marriage and ministry with his “darling”, Kay Marie. For decades, he and Kay Marie passionately and devotedly taught Bible studies, and led a ministry for other married couples at Brainerd Baptist Church. Ken and Kay Marie were the highest earthly joys of each other’s lives until her passing in 2023; and his friends and family rejoice now that they will be reunited.
A memorial service will take place in the sanctuary of Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga at 12:00 (noon), Saturday, Aug. 10. The family will receive friends starting at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary prior to the service.
Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.