Kenneth Ray Barrett, age 93, passed away on August 24, 2024 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was born on January 23, 1931, in Dulaney/Princeton Kentucky to the late Lynn Boyd Barrett and Rose (Martin) Barrett. He graduated from Butler High School in 1950 as a star athlete. After High School he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served four years. Upon his return from the Navy, he attended Western Kentucky University on a football and baseball scholarship from 1954-1958. He played Running back and corner back in football, and third base and outfield in baseball. While at WKU, he earned a Master’s degree in Art and Minored in Health and Physical Education. In 1976, Kenneth began serving as the Head Football Coach at Russellville High School where he became known as ‘Coach’. He coached his final game with the Panthers in 1998. Coach was a hard nose military man. He demanded respect and believed in discipline.
While he was the head football coach of the Panthers they earned a 162-103 record. They had three all WKC Champions, eight Regional Championships, and ten District Championships, as well as an undefeated regular season in 1984. Coach led his panthers to a state runner-up season in 1987 and added three State A Championships titles in 1980, 1983, and 1990. The first Championship was always his favorite, as he had his son, Keb Barrett, in the quarterback position. Coach was given the “Coach of The Year” honors in 1984. He was later inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, also known as Dawahare’s Hall of fame in 1993. The football field that he and his players achieved so very much on, was named after Coach in 1997. Still to this day, the stadium is known as “Ken Barrett Field”. Coach had a few sayings that he would share a lot with his teams and even the community. The one he used most was “Good things happen to good people.” He stayed very humble through all of his accomplishments and gave glory to God, and his talented players. He would tell anyone that asked, his secret was “Faith, Family, and Football”. Today, Coach’s spirit and legacy can still be felt sitting at Rhea Stadium. He poured his heart and soul into the Panther program and brought respect back to Russellville in a way no one else had. He would also tell you even today, his heart is black and gold. There will never be another one like him.
Several times throughout life, he was asked “What do you want people to remember about you, Coach?”. He would always respond with “I loved the Lord, I loved my family, I was an honest man even if you did not agree with me and all I ever strived for was to make a difference in young people’s lives through sports, discipline, encouragement and most of all love.”
Survivors include the love of his life, Emily Terhune Barrett. Three children; Katherine Benningfield (Ronnie), Keb Barrett (RoShawn), and Beth Rainey (Dale). Five grandchildren; Whitley Shoulders (John), Emily Ann Yates (Corey), Riley Thompson, Barrett Croslin (Bethany) and Tyler Barrett, as well as two Great- Grandchildren; Havyn Gray Yates and John Maverick Shoulders.
Visitation will be 3 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2024, and from 10 am until 12 pm Saturday all at Eastwood Baptist Church. A celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m. at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to J.C. Kirby and Son Lovers Lane Chapel.
The family request’s that for visitation and the funeral you wear Black & Gold for RHS Panthers or Red & White for WKU Hilltoppers.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Russellville Independent Schools, Attn: “The R Club”, 355 South Summer Street, Russellville, KY 42276 or Hospice of Southern Kentucky. Envelopes with the address will be provided at Eastwood Baptist Church.
