Harold Smith “Hal” Kearns, Jr. was born December 2, 1941 in High Point, NC to Harold Smith Kearns, Sr. and Margaret Preddy Kearns. The family moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1952. Hal was a graduate of Hillsboro High School in 1959, where he was active in the band and chorus. He graduated from Emory University in 1963, majoring in Economics.
That same year, Hal married Judith Floyd (1963-1980) and entered the United States Navy as an aviation cadet. He was soon commissioned as Ensign and aerial navigator, assigned to a Navy squadron at McQuire Air Force Base, flying C-130s in global missions, including Vietnam, with over 2000 hours in the C-130.
In 1968, Hal began his civilian career with a management position in the family business in Lakeland, Florida. He was active as part of the civic community, serving as a member of the Lakeland South Rotary Club. In 1970, the family relocated to Ft. Myers, FL. In Ft. Myers, Hal began his career in the real estate business and continued his civic service, serving as President of the Ft. Myers South Rotary Club. He was Vice President of the Ft. Myers Board of Realtors and a Legislative Chairman. He was active in St. Hilary's Episcopal Church as a vestryman, choir member, and stewardship chairman.
In 1982 he returned to Nashville and married Peggy Leverett, to whom he was married for 36 years. Hal continued in the real estate business as President and co-owner of Apex Ventures, Inc. He also served as President of the Tennessee Chapter of the Community Association Institute. In Nashville, he was active in St. Philips Episcopal Church as a choir member, vestryman, Lay Eucharist Minister, Chalice Bearer, and Cantor.
Hal was devoted to his family and most enjoyed trips with them to Florida and South Carolina beaches. He is survived by his brother, John William Kearns of Lancaster, TN; son, Kevin Smith Kearns (Anne) of Ft. Myers, FL; daughter, Connie Margaret Kearns Meadows (Bud) of Tampa, FL; stepson, Frederick Russell Denson (Sharon) of Mount Juliet, TN; his grandchildren Thomas, Christian, Kate, Luke, Rusty, Scot, Tennille; and eleven great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 13, at 10:30 am at Hermitage Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, Old Hickory, TN. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am. Following the service, Hal will be inurned next to his wife, Peggy, in the Reflections Garden. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be extended to the Kearns family by selecting "Add a Memory" at the bottom of this page.
