Austin Kennie Fortune

Austin Kennie Fortune

was born December 31, 1917 in Chester County, Tennessee the son of the late John F. and Lenora Jane Kirk Fortune.



He was united in marriage to Tressie Cox on February 7, 1944.



Mr. Fortune retired in July 31, 1959 from Bergstrom AFB, Texas as a master sargeant having served honorably in United States Air Force for over 22 years. He was in the Infantry Division 134th Inf. Reg. of 35th Inf. Div. of the 3rd Army during World War II. He was wounded Aug. 7, 1944 in Rennes, France which earned him the Purple Heart. He also received five bronze stars representing the battles of Normandy, Northern France, Rhinland, Central Europe and the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge in Gen. Patton's Army) and many other medals and ribbons such as Combat Inf. Badge and Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Fortune was a member of the Masonic Berclair Lodge, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and the Retired Enlisted Association and Longview Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi.



Mr. Fortune departed this life on December 18, 2007 in Germantown, TN at the age of 89 Years, 11 Months, 18 Days. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Tressie Fortune of Olive Branch, MS; a son, Buddy Kennie Fortune of Olive Branch, MS; three grandchildren, Trevor James Fortune of Memphis, TN, Shane Fortune of Memphis, TN, Natalie Plummer of Olive Branch, MS; a grt-grandson, Arthur James Fortune of Memphis, TN; many nieces and nephews in Memphis, TN. Mr. Fortune was preceded in death by a son, James Austin Fortune.