PAINT LICK вЂ“ Henry West, a prominent Garrard County farmer who played a role that is large the federal tobacco buyout, died Wednesday.


State of the Commonwealth

Recalling Henry Western

(Above photo of Henry West from the Advocate-Messenger in Danville.)

On we went to the funeral of Henry West, in Lancaster saturday. Henry, a cousin that is distant of, died instantly on Wednesday evening while working on his farm simply outside of Paint Lick. HereвЂ™s the full story from the Advocate-Messenger

He had been 64 and simply two weeks ago was in fact the parade marshal that is grand Garrard CountyвЂ™s Rural Heritage Festival.

вЂњHenry was those types of unique individuals who just possessed all of the traditional values you l k for in rural America вЂ“ family members, church and land вЂ“ and he devoted his life to any or all three,вЂќ said Mike Carter, previous Garrard County agricultural agent.

Western had offered as president for both the Burley Tobacco Council and also the Burley Tobacco Co-op. He had been instrumental in sparking the charge for the landmark $9.6 billion federal tobacco buyout and forged many relationships with crucial figures to view it through.

вЂњHenry made himself a friend that is personal politicians. He worked hard with senators and congressmen,вЂќ said Carter.

Carter, who served as ag agent for 31 years before retiring in June, had been both an expert and individual friend to West. Carter said WestвЂ™s work and dedication to Garrard County is believed for many years to come.

вЂHenry had been simply an outstanding frontrunnerвЂ™

West had been a selfless man, whom always considered the main benefit of Garrard countians above his own gain that is personal.

вЂњHenry ended up being simply a leader that is outstanding. He actually had a passion for doing whatever he felt was best for the tobacco that is average,вЂќ said Carter.

CarterвЂ™s role as an expansion agent allotted him a close, personal relationship that is working West, a cattle and tobacco farmer who owned and operated Henry West Farms in Paint Lick.

West and his wife, Peggy, had three children, and Carter said it in fact was a privilege to see them mature and take part in the 4-H program.

Faith was additionally essential to West, being truly a lifelong and member that is active of Lick United Methodist Church.

Outside of family members, church therefore the land, West had another passion, in accordance with Carter the Kentucky Wildcats.

WestвЂ™s son was indeed a standout quarterback for Garrard County and played at the University of Kentucky. West himself additionally was a stellar player for the Paint that is old Lick Sch l back their time, said Carter.

вЂњYou ask anybody associated with the top five players from (the 1960s) in your community, and Henry WestвЂ™s title will come up, alwaysвЂќ he said.

WestвЂ™s unexpected death leaves a void in the neighborh d where he had been popular and well-respected.

вЂњItвЂ™s odd, because in an occasion the same as this, we’d all go to Henry for strength, advice and help. Now, this loss is unspeakable for Garrard County,вЂќ said Carter.

(Gonna fall the third-person for a little bitвЂ¦)

With their generosity and kindness as much as Henry West though I only got to meet Henry a handful of times, I canвЂ™t think of a person IвЂ™ve known over my lifetime who has struck me. Every once in a while when weвЂ™d be on a family trip to Berea or Cumberland Falls State Park or other places in and around that part of the state, weвЂ™d drop in on HenryвЂ™s farm, and muzmatch coupon no matter what he and Peggy and the kids were in the middle of, theyвЂ™d drop it immediately as a kid. The West familyвЂ™s warmth and generosity never flagged or faltered, and some of my personal favorite memories are of visiting the farm, and of HenryвЂ™s great laugh ( as you care able to see above) and their laugh.

One of the other major items that struck me personally about Henry, obvious if you ask me even when I became a little kid, had been their love of this land. We might have been city slickers visiting from big, dirty Louisville, but Henry would take the time to show us the farm, and explain exactly what he had been taking care of, from harvesting tobacco to increasing cattle. Their enthusiasm for just what he had been doing had been infectious and inspiring.

I last saw Henry at family reunion we held at Cumberland Falls during Thanksgiving in 2005, while I happened to be nevertheless staying in ny. He was as friendly and hot as ever, and I regret that in this previous 12 months that IвЂ™ve been back in Kentucky, I did sonвЂ™t just take the chance to go to Paint Lick and the Wests.

On Saturday Henry had been hidden within the Manse Cemetery in Paint Lick (a remarkable and breathtaking destination which includes the graves of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers). The funeral procession stretched at least two miles long, as HenryвЂ™s many friends and family came to pay their respects on Kentucky State Road 52 to the cemetery from Lancaster. Once the burial started, the clouds which had covered the sky all day started to dissipate, and a lovely sunlight arrived through, while geese on the other hand associated with the hill from the cemetery honked and scattered. It absolutely was breathtaking and touching, and I shall miss Henry West.