In July 2025, our family suddenly found ourselves in uncharted waters, fighting a battle we didn’t know how to fight. Our fearless leader and greatest entertainer had unknowingly been infected with Vibrio Vulnificus after scratching his leg on his boat trailer that had been removed from the water the day before. The scratch was minor…a little hydrogen peroxide to clean it up and a regular bandaid to cover it up. 48 hours later, he was feeling a little less than par, but nothing that kept him from his evening boat cruise for fireworks. On Sunday, July 6th, that all changed. By 11:00 AM, a mere 72 hours after the scratch, he was admitted to the hospital with gastrointestinal issues, a high fever, low blood pressure and general malaise…the source unknown. Approximately 8 hours later, evidence of something a little more complicated began to appear. By midnight, blistering appeared on his leg, although not directly at the site of the scratch. By 4 AM, our fears of flesh eating bacteria were confirmed and the medical team prepared for air transport to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Unfortunately, his blood pressure was so incredibly low that transport by ambulance was necessary. When he arrived in New Orleans, he was met with the most incredible team of surgeons who calmly explained that emergency surgery was needed and there was a high probability that his leg would need to be amputated to save his life. In a brief moment of clarity, he was able to convey that he consented to surgery but asked that they try not to amputate. Surgery 1 was a success. Surgery 2, a few days later, was also a success. As horrific as the debridement was and as daunting as the prognosis of caring for this wound would be…we still had our husband, dad & grandfather and he had his leg. Over the next two weeks, we learned more than one cares to know about the terrifying road that lie ahead and just how much damage Vibrio Vulnificus had done.

One July 19, 2025, by the grace of God, we were able to bring him home to the water that he so loved. He spent his last two days in his most favorite place surrounded by all of the people he loved most. On July 21, 2025, he was fully healed and our worlds were forever changed. A week later, we celebrated a beautiful life well lived in the most perfect way.

Throughout his suffering, our understanding of what was most important to him never wavered. There is no place he would have rather been than on the water. Sailing, fishing, swimming, cruising…you name it. He didn’t discriminate…any body of water would do…even the road side swimming hole he famously found with his grandchildren on a road trip through middle Tennessee several summers prior. The water was his happy place. We know that he would never want his death to instill fear or change the beauty of his coast in any way. And that’s why we are here….to educate, to comfort and to heal.

In Loving Memory of

BASIL THOMPSON KENNEDY

APRIL 3, 1948 - JULY 21, 2025