Kenneth Ray Smith

Frankfort- Kenneth Ray Smith, 81, passed away peacefully at the Baptist East Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky on February 25, 2019 after a courageous battle with cancer. The love of his life, his wife Mickey Jo Combs Smith was at his bedside. He was born on August 17, 1937 in Bowling Green, Kentucky to Ray G. Smith and his wife, Nancy Irene Perkins Smith. After graduating from Metcalfe County High School in 1955, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy aboard the U.S. Forrestal Aircraft Carrier. After an honorable discharge, he started his college career at Campbellsville Junior College in Campbellsville, Kentucky on a basketball scholarship, and then went on to play basketball at Elon College in Elon, North Carolina. He also holds a Masters of Public Affairs Degree from KSU, Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from EKU. In 1962, he entered the Kentucky State Police Academy as a Cadet Trooper. After graduation he was assigned to the Governor’s Detail in Frankfort. He has served in several capacities and was promoted through the ranks within the KSP including Instructor and then Commander of the Training Academy, promoted to Lt as commander of the finance section, then commander of planning, Commander of Internal Affairs, promoted to Major of the professional Standards Branch at KSP headquarters, Served as post commander at Post 6, Dry Ridge and Post 9, Frankfort, and Commander of Internal Affairs at KSP Headquarters. He retired on September 1, 1992. Kenneth loved his home and family, spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren (they were the joys of his life). He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and loved get togethers with his friends and his brother Royce and sisters, Joan and Sondra and their families. He really enjoyed the Jenkins High School Classmates I grew up with and all of the get togethers and fun times we have had with them, he loved them all. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray G. Smith, mother Nancy Irene Smith, sister Joyce Smith Furkin St Charles, nephew, Joseph Furkin, and brother in law Robert Whitlow. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Mickey Jo Combs Smith, three children Marsha Lynn Smith Cook (Dwayne), Traci Jo Smith Dixon (Jon), Kenneth Ray II (Anna); grandchildren, Jacob, Rebecca and Jonathan Cook, Jack and Matthew Dixon, Harrison, Holden and Evelyn “Evie” Smith, brother Royce Smith (Anita), sisters, Joan Smith Whitlow, and Sondra (Harry) Jackson and several nieces and nephews. Kenneth was a member of Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church. There will be a gathering and celebration of life service in the fellowship hall at the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church on Ducker’s Lane on Monday, March 4, 2019 from 3:00pm until 7:00pm. The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Haddix and his staff, Dr. John Patterson and his staff, Franklin County Home Health, Dr. Leela Bhupalam and the staff at the Baptist East Charles and Mimi Osborn Cancer Center, the staff at Park Tower Baptist East Palliative Care Unit for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided Kenneth during his illness. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Kenneth’s name to the Kentucky State Police Trooper Island Camp, non-profit charitable corporation. A place where children can escape the tensions and turmoil of their everyday lives for one week, and can be given a touch of hope and desire of a better tomorrow. https://KSPfoundation.org/portfolio/trooper-island/