Henry G. "Buddy" Ennis Jr.

Henry "Buddy" went to be with his Lord on December 9, 2024. He was born on February 17, 1932, in Dothan, Alabama, and moved to Tampa in 1939. He attended Gorrie and Mitchell Elementary, Wilson Junior High, and H. B. Plant High School and graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Accounting. At the University of Florida, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Following college, he married the love of his life, Fay Patrick, and together they were married for over seventy years. He began his fifty-year career as a Certified Public Accountant with his individual CPA practice which merged with Touche Ross & Company (now Deloitte) where he became the managing partner of their Tampa office. He later continued practicing under the name of Ennis CPA Associates. Just prior to his retirement he enjoyed serving as the Finance Director of the City of Tampa. Henry was involved in many organizations in Tampa. He was a Trustee of the Jesuit High School Foundation, Trustee of the University of South Florida Foundation, Tampa Museum of Art Board Member, Trustee of the University Community Hospital, and member of the Operating Board of Tampa Advent Health Hospital. He also was the Treasurer of the University Club, Secretary of Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, Commodore of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club and King of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. More importantly, he was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Tampa where he served as a Deacon and Chairman of the Finance Committee. One of Henry's favorite pastimes was golf. During his younger years he maintained a single digit golf handicap, won a few club tournaments and made two "holes in one". At age 77 years old he started scoring his age or less every year until age 90. Henry and his family enjoyed camping trips, fishing on their boat "The Debit" (on which he landed a seven foot sailfish) and many good times together on Manasota Key. Henry excelled in duplicate bridge and achieved the ACBL rank of Bronze Life Master. For many years after retirement Henry always looked forward to Tuesday morning breakfast with his other retired friends, the "ROFS". Henry was predeceased by his parents H. G. and Lucille Ennis, his brother Robert "Bob" Ennis, and his loving wife Fay Ennis. He is survived by his daughter, Leigh Ann Ennis, son, Hank Ennis (Suzanne), granddaughters Carrie Alexander Ferderigos (Spiros), Laura Alexander, Sara Katherine Ennis Henderson (Dylan) and Margo Ennis Compton (Jack), his great grandchildren Laura Leigh and Charlotte Ferderigos, Landon Alexander and Parker Henderson and several nieces and nephews. The family will hold a private family memorial service in the Culbreath Chapel at the First Baptist Church of Tampa, followed by a private family gathering celebrating his life.