Kentucky Political Icon Wendell Ford Dead at 90
Former U.S. Senator, Democratic whip and 53rd Governor of Kentucky Wendell Ford has died.
The Glenn Funeral Home said Ford passed away Thursday morning at his home in Owensboro.
A life-long smoke, he’d been fighting a long, public battle with lung cancer.
Ford was the first and only Kentuckian to be elected Lieutenant Governor, Governor and U.S. Senator, a position he held for 24 years making him the longest-serving Senator in Kentucky’s history at the time of his retirement in 1998.
Ford never lost an election.
He is known for his work in Legislation in tobacco, coal, bourbon and farming. Those who knew him said he fought for the things he believed in
.
“He really tried to focus on what people needed and what people needed him to do, he never really got very far away from that,” said Terry Birdwhistell who was a family friend of the Ford’s.
Current Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear released this statement:
“Kentucky has lost one of its great statesmen, and we all have lost a friend. Jane and I join with all of Kentucky to mourn the loss of Senator Wendell Ford. As I began my career in public service, I watched and learned from Senator Ford, who was the epitome of principled leadership. In every office in which he served, his methods were simple: Wendell Ford listened, he cared, and he got the job done. Our state and our nation are better places for his decades of thoughtful, cooperative work to help people. We are grateful for his legacy of service, and our prayers are with his wife, Jean, their children, Steve and Shirley, and their families.”
Ford’s Memorial service will be Sunday, January 25 in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.
Visitation will be from 11:00-3:00 then 4:00-6:00.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 27 at the First Baptist Church in Owensboro.
Visitation at the funeral home will be Monday, January 26 from 2:00-7:00 and 10:00-11:00 before the funeral at the First Baptist Church.
Ford will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Elm Wood Cemetery in Owensboro.
Contributions can be made to a charity of choice of the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center.
UPDATE: The 1999 documentary "Wendell Ford: From Yellow Creek to the Potomac will air throughout the weekend on KET and KET2. The program will be broadcast Friday at 9, and Sunday at 2 on KET. It will air Saturday at 5 on KET 2. It is also available to watch online at ket.org
Leave a Reply