Name: Charles Bethel Honeycutt [photo]
Residence: Glasgow KY
Died: Thursday, 2 Dec 2004, Medical Center at Bowling Green KY, age 78.
Born: 18 July 1926
Son of the late Wendell Holmes Honeycutt and Mary Bethel Payne Honeycutt
His father accepted his graduation diploma from Glasgow High School in 1945 because he had already entered the army during the final year of WW II. He served in the Pacific Theatre. His early entry into the military as a step into a life of service. His contributions to his country, community and children of the community set a standard defined the word service for future generations. Following his tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force, Mayor Honeycutt pursued his education, graduating from Transylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky. He completed additional graduate studies at Florida State University and Western Kentucky University as he furthered his career in education.
After a three-year stay at Benham High School, he returned to his hometown to serve as director of the Glasgow Scottie Band. His leadership of that organization transformed the band into a symbol of excellence and pride for the entire community. He taught lessons of pride, dignity, and discipline for 20 years to musicians and students at Glasgow High School. The standard of excellence he established during his tenure as director of the band remains with the band to this day. He stepped down as band director to pursue a career as school administrator, holding the positions of assistant principal, high school principal, and director of Pupil Personnel. His influence of service to the children of our community will continue to be felt for generations.
While serving as an educator, he expanded his career in public service as chief of the Glasgow Auxiliary Police Department and seved on the Glasgow City Council for 13 years before retiring to run for mayor. Election of Charlie Honeycutt as Mayor of Glasgow began a new chapter in his life of service, and a new chapter in the history of Glasgow. With the same spirit of determination, leadership, and patriotism gained through his personal military service, Charlie Honeycutt went to battle for his home community - putting his energy into the service of his fellow man.
Aggressive initiatives developed by Mayor Honeycutt building upon the strong foundations laid by his predecessor Mayor Luska Twyman, propelled this community into a period of economic growth and expansion, enhanced educational opportunities, development of high trained and equipped public service agencies, recognition and appreciaton of community history and historical landmarks, civic pride and cooperation. Some have called the 17 year period of his leadership as mahyor, Glasgow's "Golden Age." Mayor Honeycutt would be the first to acknowledge the contributions of outstanding community leaders who preceded him and worked alongside him.
His service was recognized multiple times by organizations across our state. Most notably, Mayor Honeycutt served as President of the Kentucky League of Cities, and received the William H. Natcher Award for Excellence in Local Government.
After 17 years at the helm of Glasgow's leadership, Mayor Honeycutt entered retirement, or what might be called a third career for most. He was a passionate leader for renovating the Plaza Theatre into a community performing arts center. He continued his dedication to building an economic future for the community by serving on the IDEA Board; and let many former pupils and other community musicians as direcctor of the Glasgow Community Band.
He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Glasgow, where he served for many years as choir director, the first director of the handbell choir; and served as both deacon and elder; and was a member of the Coombs-Dickinson Bible Class.
Other accomplishments by Mayor Honeycutt included the city landfill, the outer loop, the bus service, the Liberty Street Project, industrial parks and much more. Mayor Honeycutt possessed many personal qualities which made him a natural leader and innovator. He was a risk taker, he tried to make things happen, and he did.
Survivors include:
Sons: Wendell Harris Honeycutt of Glasgow and Charles Wayne Honeycutt of Glenburn, Maine
Their mother: Barbara Jones Honeycutt of Glasgow
Grandchildren: Lesley Honeycutt Oliver of Bowling Green KY, William Charles Honeycutt, Daniel James Honeycutt and Matthew Lewis Holmes, all of Glenburn Maine
Step-son: James Robert "Jim Bob" Clement of Glasgow
Step-grandchildren: Tara Beth Clement and Jon-Michael Clement, both of Scottsville KY
Step-great-randchild: Kenley Kirk
Cousin: Mary Bethel Payne Robinson of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Preceded in death by:
Wife: Alice Dianne Bradberry Honeycutt who died on 22 Nov 2004
Brother: William Burton Honeycutt
Services: Monday, 6 December 2004, 2 pm, First Christian Church, Hatcher and Saddler Funeral Home in charge of arrangements, burial Glasgow Municipal Cemetery with military honors.
Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, Friday 3 Dec 2004 and Sunday, 5 Dec 2004, p. 2
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