Kearney H. Windham received his wings on February 1, 2014. He was born on September 14, 1934 in Taylorsville, MS. Kearney leaves his devoted wife Joy Person Windham; they were partners in fun and adventure for 43 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Warren (Gyp) and Murl Hosey Windham, his brother Isaac (Hank) Windham, and his sister Bobbie Nell Bell. He also leaves several in-laws and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Kearney’s family moved to Mobile, AL when he was eight years old; he was a resident of Mobile for 70 years. In September of 2013, he and his wife Joy moved to Oxford, MS to enjoy their retirement. He graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile in 1951 and earned a degree in civil engineering from Auburn University in 1961. He was employed for 35 years by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and served as chief of the Natural Resource Management Branch. He was a former President of the Society of Military Engineers and a Registered Professional Engineer in Alabama.
Kearney was an avid sports fan. He was a gifted athlete and coach, knowledgeable referee, generous philanthropist, and dedicated member to numerous national and state athletic boards and organizations. He was founder and past president of the Mobile Sports Hall of Hall and a member of the Senior Bowl Committee, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Sports Committee, and the Mobile Touchdown Club. He coached the Mobile Sport Surveyors AAU basketball team for 22 years and was a lifetime member of both the Auburn and Ole Miss Alumni Associations. He gave selflessly to his community and always made those around him feel supported.
Kearney was also passionate about music. He was instrumental in bringing numerous musical artists to Mobile. He directed and produced Show Tunes in Mobile and Fairhope and brought the Glen Miller Orchestra to Mobile and Montgomery to play a benefit for the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame.
Kearney was a kind and gentle soul, and his family and friends will miss his dry sense of humor. Visitation with be at 11:00 on Thursday, February 6, 2014 followed by funeral services at noon at Seven Oaks Funeral Home in Water Valley, MS. After a graveside service at Bethlehem Cemetery in Water Valley, all are invited to join the family in fellowship at the First United Methodist Church of Water Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to either the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame Kearney H. Windham Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2544, Mobile, AL, 36652, or the Bethlehem Cemetery Fund, 1620 County Road 25, Water Valley, MS 38965.