Hundreds of mourners filled the state Capitol Sunday to pay tribute to Kentucky's 53rd governor. Wendell Ford died Thursday at his home in Owensboro. He was 90. Ford is the only Kentuckian to win consecutive terms as lieutenant governor, governor and U.S. Senator. Governor Beshear offered a prayer to begin the service. "He listened, he cared, and he brought people together. Give us the courage to follow his examples," said Beshear.
Tommy Preston, who served as Ford's press secretary when he was governor in the early 1970's, delivered the eulogy. "Years in the grand edifice didn't change him one iota, neither could the ensnaring and beguiling of Washington, a place where underserved status is sought constantly," added Preston.
Preston recounted how Ford showed up for the ground breaking of the Kentucky Horse Park on a mule drawn plow. "And he plowed the earth in symbolic fashion behind a team of mules and onlookers loved it. That was Wendell Ford," said Preston.
Ford's body lied in state in the Capitol rotunda for several hours Sunday. His funeral will be held in Owensboro Tuesday. The hour long memorial service was carried live by KET.?
