John Anthony Hennessy, age 89, Carthage, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 9, 2020, at his home surrounded by his kids. On May 9, 1931, he was born in Joplin, Missouri, the son of the late John J. Hennessy and Margaret (Hagel) Hennessy.
John grew up in Joplin, MO graduating from St. Peters High School. He joined the United States Air Force serving from 1951-1955 as a veterinary medical technician stationed in Guam and Japan. After his service, John attended the University of Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Science-Agriculture in 1957, a Master’s-Agriculture in 1959, followed by his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1962.
John co-owned and operated Hillcrest Animal Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, from 1962-88, where they treated large and small animals. His kind heart and love of animals were recognized as the Veterinarian of the Year in 1998 by the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association. In 1988, he left private practice to accept a position with the Missouri Department of Agriculture as Assistant State Veterinarian, in Jefferson City.
In 1990, he was appointed to the position of State Veterinarian, where he remained until 1993. In 1993, John took a district veterinarian position that would take him back to Poplar Bluff, where he retired in 1998.
He married his love, Margaret Mary Ann Pruden, on December 26, 1955, in La Porte, Indiana. John and Margaret were married 59 years, raised four children, and had a variety of animals of their own. They spent most of those years in Poplar Bluff, MO. They enjoyed family and lifelong friends, golfing, fishing, and hanging out on Black River. After retirement, they spent winters in South Padre Island, Texas, for nearly 20 years, where they loved the scenery, climate and developed many close friendships.
Margaret preceded him in death on February 9, 2015.
Margaret preceded him in death on February 9, 2015.
John served his community as a member of the Knights of Columbus, as a board member of the Poplar Bluff Humane Society, the Poplar Bluff Animal Control Board, the University of Missouri Veterinary Licensing Board, was an advisor to the Poplar Bluff Police Chief and Animal Control Board and was President of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association.
John is survived by his children, John G. (Buck) Hennessy and wife Cathy, Jefferson City, Missouri, Ann Johnson and husband David, Canton, Texas, Tim Hennessy and wife Becky, Columbia, Missouri, and Shannon Peterson and husband Mark, Carthage, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Mike Miller and wife Kristin, Taos, Missouri, Travis Hennessy, Jefferson City, Missouri, Shannon Elder and husband Jordan, Canton, Texas, Lauren Johnson Canton, Texas, Adam Peterson and wife Allison, Detroit, Michigan, Derek Peterson and wife Kamryn, Little Rock, Arkansas, Allison Peterson, Carthage, Missouri, and Connor Hennessy, Columbia, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Ben Miller, Ethan Miller, Luke Elder, Grace Elder, Leo Shively, and Theodore Peterson.
Memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 PM Friday, July 17, 2020, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church Joplin, Missouri. Rosary will be at 6:30 PM at the Church. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at 10:00 AM also at St. Peter the Apostle.
A celebration of life will be held on August 1, 2020, from 7:00-9:00PM at Westwood Hills Country Club in Poplar Bluff, MO.
John had a passion for helping animals; in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Carthage Humane Society in care of the Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the Knell Mortuary.
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