Kirtley S. Green

Kirtley Green. Born August 11, 1926. Died October 21, 2012. Between those two dates was a life to be celebrated. Kirtley was the 11th and youngest child of William T. and Gertrude (Watts) Green, born and raised on a Franklin County farm. He was only 17 years old when he joined the U.S. Navy and served on ships in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He saw the death of shipmates at Iwo Jima and gave candy to the children of Tokyo after the Japanese surrender. That service to his country and his membership in the fraternity of Tin Can Sailors, was a source of lifetime pride. The most significant and arguably the best decision Kirtley ever made, was to marry Waldine Francis Jewell on December 4, 1945. For more than 66 years, they faced life's challenges and shared the joys of the world. Together they had three sons. Alan (Pataskala, OH), Gary (Frankfort) and Richard (Myrtle Beach, SC) were taught by words and example to be responsible, to be compassionate, to be respectful. Kirtley's family grew to include Alan's wife, Linda and Gary's wife, Lynne. There are four granddaughters: Jennifer Williams (husband Brian) - Stafford, VA; Katherine Green - Birmingham, AL; Elizabeth Green - Birmingham, AL; Heather Stephenson (husband Jeff) - Nicholasville, KY and three great-grandchildren. There was always plenty of laughter and love to go around. He retired following a thirty year career with Bell Telephone and provided years of leadership within the Evergreen Baptist Church (Frankfort). The legacy Kirtley leaves behind is rich and the memories are special for each individual that he knew. Those range from summer card games played under the elms on the farm where he grew up, to overnight fishing trips on Lake Cumberland. From the three holes-in-one he carded on Kentucky golf courses, to a family vacation, where on a Colorado mountain, he thanked God for allowing him to live long enough to enjoy such beauty. Services will be at the LeCompte-Johnson-Taylor Funeral Home at 1725 Louisville Road in Frankfort. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, October 22, from 4 PM until 7 PM and Tuesday, October 23, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 23 at 2:30 PM. Dr. Joel Sturtevant and Rev. Brad Hockensmith will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. VFW services will be held at the cemetery by Post 4075th. Pallbearers will be Jim Green, Mike Green, Danny Green, Michael Brown, Jeff Stephenson and Scott McBrayer. Honorary bearers will be Scott Hawkins, Ted Collins, Damon Mitchell, Blake Mitchell, John Hanley, Phil Hughes, Simeon Parker, Bill Parris and Denny Durcholz. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Kirtley's honor to the Hospice Care Center, 1 St. Joseph Drive, Lexington,KY 40504.

Kirtley S. Green

August 11, 1926 - October 21, 2012