Obituary of Ledford Cole

Ledford Arvis Cole, age 87, of Independence, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Hospice. He was a retired Weigh Clerk for CSX Railroad (previously L&N) for 43 years, a WWII U.S. Navy Veteran who enlisted at 17 years of age, and a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. He was a deacon at the former Decoursey Baptist Church and served as deacon chairman. Mr. Cole was a Master Hunter Education Instructor with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and a Lifetime member of The Kenton Game and Fish Association and VFW Post 6423. Ledford was also a member of the Bradford Masonic Lodge (50 years), the Scottish Rite, and was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was known to many in the area for his work as a Concealed Carry Instructor and was involved in the training of over 21,000 Hunter Education students during his time as an Instructor. His wife of over 60 years, Genopal Britton Cole preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons, Matthew Todd (Stephanie) Cole, Sr. and Barry Britton (Shannon) Cole; sister, Genell (Bill) Hall; brothers, Harold (Kay) Cole and Don (Charlotte) Cole; grandchildren, Matthew Todd (Leah) Cole, Jr., Mark Thomas (Kerri) Cole, Morgan Brittony (Andy) Zimmerman, Kody Bush, Noah Bush, and Mariah Bush; and five great grandchildren. Visitations will be held Friday, January 16, 2015, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again Saturday, January 17, 2015, from 10 a.m. until time of the service at 11 a.m. at Chambers and Grubbs Funeral Home in Independence, KY and Monday, January 19, 2015, from 10 a.m. until time of the service at 11 a.m. at Knox Funeral Home in Barbourville, KY. A Masonic service will be held Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the conclusion of the visitation. Interment will be at Patterson Cemetery in Heidrick, KY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Patterson Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 552, Heidrick, KY 40949 or the charity of donor's choice.