Kenneth Ray Catlett, 89, of Bardstown, died on Friday, April 15, 2022. He was born in Shelbyville on October 17, 1932, the son of Everett and Bessie Catlett.
He grew up on a small farm in Shelbyville where hard work and his love of farming began at a very young age. He graduated from Shelbyville High School, then attended Transylvania University in the fall of 1950. He served on the Interfraternity Council, Student Council Representative, Student Christian Association, and was a member of the Social Fraternity Phi Kappa Alpha. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1954 and a Masters from the University of Kentucky. During his final year in Transylvania, Kenneth met his future wife, Marjorie Jean Lollis. He was also named Mr. Pioneer in the spring of 1954. After graduating from Transylvania, he entered the US Marine Corp in January 1955 and underwent basic training at Parris Island, SC. and the Artillery and Guided Missile School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He spent 40 months in the Marine Corp where he rose through the ranks to first lieutenant on November 28, 1956. He married the love of his life on June 1, 1955 and their first home was on base at Camp Lajeune in Jacksonville, NC
After his service in the Marine Corp, they bought a farm in New Castle. It was there that they started their family, then moved to Bardstown in 1970 where they lived and farmed for over 40 years. His Christian work has not gone unnoticed (from feeding his garbage collectors weekly to cooking for the homeless), he has regularly shown respect to firefighters, police and health workers in our community who deliver food. He had a love for his family and his community, but his greatest love was his wife Jean.
He is survived by one daughter, Jennifer Catlett Adams; two sons, Gregory Lewis Catlett (Karen) and Kenneth Walter Catlett: one sister Bonnie Chandler (Jim); and seven grandchildren: Nicolette Knuckles (Justin), Jessica Shifflett (Thomas), Taylor Catlett, Madison Catlett, Billy Adams, Blake Catlett and Lauren Catlett.
The memorial service is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at First Christian Church in Bardstown to celebrate her life as an amazing husband, brother, father and son of Christ.
Memorial contributions may go to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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