Micheal Douglas Hennessy's Obituary
Micheal Douglas Hennessy passed away on January 19, 2023 surrounded by his family. He lost a short, hard-fought battle with HLH, a rare blood disease.
Mike was born January 12, 1954 to Noel Douglas Hennessy and LaVerle Haycock Hennessy.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents and one sister, Peggy. He is survived by two sisters, Barbara and Janet; his wife, Katherine; his five children - Micheal Jr. (Holly), Taylor (Leah), Marie (Brian), Jason (Beckie), Dawson (Terilyn); and 19 grandchildren.
Mike was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He lived and played in the woods as a kid. When he was a teenager, he moved to the coast and graduated high school in Gold Beach, Oregon. After graduation, he worked in several states before settling in Utah where he met the love of his life, Katherine Taylor. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.
Mike worked in radio for a while; he sold advertising, wrote commercials, and even did some on-air for KSOP. He then went to work for The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He started at Deseret Industries then moved to the Humanitarian Center, where he spent many years. Mike loved helping people, and his service at the Humanitarian Center allowed him to help people all over the world, both through the services rendered and also through his position as a job coach - teaching life and job skills. Helping others was the most fulfilling aspect of his job. Mike retired from the paying part of his church service in 2019.
As an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mike held many church callings. He loved the Lord. He had a special way of relating to people and loved serving them. He served as a temple worker right up until his body couldn’t handle it anymore.
Mike loved the mountains. In fact, his idea of Heaven was being in the mountains. He loved camping, and if his kids and grandkids could join him, even better. He also loved fishing and hunting. If he could not personally be hunting, he enjoyed watching other people hunt… hunt for alligators, hunt for BigFoot, and hunt for gold. The only hunting he didn’t enjoy was hunting for his missing tools.
Mike loved sports. As a young adult, Mike participated in men’s team sports, and co-ed team sports with Katherine. He also loved watching sports, whatever was in season, especially the Utah Jazz, the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, and Real Salt Lake. He supported his kids in their sports, and in time, his grandkids in theirs. He tried hard to never miss a game.
He loved to support his family in whatever they were doing. He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, and friend.
We will miss you.
We love you.
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