Obituary for George Kenneth Fortney

On Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Ken Fortney (age 75) of Centreville, VA, died peacefully surrounded by family at his side at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA. Ken was the beloved husband of Mary Martha Fortney for 36 years; and loving father of two stepdaughters, Laura Seal of Clifton and Katie Gardner (Mike) of Haymarket. He was blessed with five grandchildren (Michael II, Michelle, Kaylee and Jackson Gardner and Allison Ewing); and one great-grandchild. His family also includes his nieces, Kelly Meek, Elizabeth Wadsworth, Melissa Ward and nephew Michael Ward. He is survived by his older brother, Mel (Sally), niece, Amy Parks, nephews, Andy and Scott and great-nephews and great-nieces. Ken joins his parents, Ronald L. and Freda M. Conner and his sister, Patsy Reid in eternal rest. He spent his life working as a mortgage banker, in title insurance and retail sales. A lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, Ken graduated from Annandale High School and attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond (formerly Richmond Professional Institute) as a marketing major. With a particular fondness for golden retrievers, Ken completed the training and exam which allowed him to be a registered therapy dog professional. He and his therapy dog golden retriever Maggie Mae McGee spent five years volunteering with special needs elementary school children and the local library where children would read to Maggie. Ken had a tremendous love of water and travel, boating on the Potomac for almost his entire life. He especially loved trips to Fort Lauderdale and Key West, Florida, with Mary Martha and their friends; listening to country music, watching and attending NASCAR and drag races and going to Washington Nationals baseball games. The celebration of Ken's life will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Osprey's at Belmont Bay, 401 Belmont Bay Drive, Woodbridge, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions can be made to Inova Schar Cancer Institute (https://www.inovacancer.org/donate), to The Chance Foundation of Catlett, VA. (http://www.countryclubkennels.com/the-chance-foundation.html) or to the charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Everly Wheatley Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA.