Hank Boerner

Hank Boerner TUPELO - Henry Alexander Leopold "Hank" Boerner, 57, died Thursday morning at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He died of complications from severe septic shock. Boerner was the 20-year director of the North Mississippi Medical Center Wellness Center, which includes facilities in Tupelo, Pontotoc and Baldwyn. He was born in Miami, Fla., and spent most of his young adult life in Rockledge, Fla. He was a graduate of Florida State University and earned his M.S. in exercise physiology at Florida State. He was a former chairman of the Medical Fitness Association and a longtime member of its board of directors. Boerner was co-chair of the widely honored Tupelo Health Task Force, and he had served as a member of the All-America City competition team. In 2011, Boerner was presented the Pioneer Award by the Medical Fitness Association for his work to advance the wellness industry. In addition, he was a founder of Project Hope, which raises funds for heart disease, cancer and diabetes patients in Northeast Mississippi. The organization has raised almost $1 million through its annual events. He was a member of the Community Development Foundation's leadership class. He served on the boards of directors of Mississippi United Methodist Senior Services, the Yocona Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and on the advisory board of the Tupelo Parks and Recreation Department. He was a chairman of the council's Apilachi District. He was a former assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 3 and was founder of Venture Scouting's Crew 3, both in Tupelo. Boerner was an active member and ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Tupelo, and a longtime member of the Mission and Outreach Committee. In addition, he was a member of the First Presbyterian Clean Water and Medical Mission Team, which makes annual trips serving partner congregations in Guatemala. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Helen Hunter Boerner; daughter, Hunter Harrington (Zack); and son, Hal Boerner. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Nancy Jenkins; brothers Tommy Boerner (Terri) and Douglas Boerner (Max). His father-in-law, Lauchlin Hunter, survives, as well as in-laws Suzanne and Joe Rey, and Lock and Lisa Hunter, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Tupelo, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Groome III officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today in McFadden Hall at First Presbyterian and again at 10 a.m. before services Saturday. Honorary pallbearers will be Ann and Danny Kelly, Bess and Grayson Robbins, Lin Joiner, Lisa Johnson, and Steve and Kathy Corban. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Guatemala Mission Fund of First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1725, Tupelo, MS 38802, or Project Hope, P.O. Box 4236, Tupelo, MS 38803.