HORSE CAVE Barren County lost one of its most ardent promoters this week when Horse Cave businessman Kenneth Bale passed away Tuesday at his home. Weve lost a good man and a good representative for this community, Cave City Mayor Bob Hunt said. Not only that, but he was a good friend of mine. A lifelong resident of Barren County, Bale, 78, worked tirelessly to promote the causes he believed in throughout the region and state, Hunt said. He felt very strongly about the agriculture center that were trying to build here in Cave City at the convention center, and he made a lot of trips into the surrounding counties and to Frankfort to promote that, Hunt said. He was very interested in growth and progress here in Barren County and he worked hard to make it happen. Horse Cave Mayor Joanne Smith said Bale cared deeply about the people of the city, playing a pivotal role in spurring economic growth in Horse Cave through his many business interests. He was a tremendous friend to the city, she said. We will mourn and miss him. Bales son, Tommy Bale of Horse Cave, said he will remember most the confidence his father had in people and their willingness to do the right thing. He had a big heart and he always gave people the benefit of the doubt, Tommy Bale said. He believed in people, and he tried to help them any way he could. Tommy Bale was one of seven children, and said his fathers emphasis on family was another of his greatest strengths. He believed very strongly in family, Tommy Bale said. It was the most important thing in his life. Kenneth Bale died at his home at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday after a lengthy illness. The Horse Cave native was owner and CEO of several southcentral Kentucky companies, including South Central Bank, which he founded, Bale of Kentucky Inc., Farmers Investment Company, U.S. Coal Inc., Bale Oil Company Inc., Kentucky Tobacco Sales, Bale Farms, Travelodge Hotel, Bale Tobacco Marketing Inc. and New River Processing Inc. He also served on numerous civic boards and organizations, including the Burley Tobacco Warehouse Association, Cave City Convention Center board, Thurston Morton Sons of the American Revolution, Capitol Hill Club of Washington D.C., Western Kentucky University Presidents Club and Foundation Club, and various chambers of commerce. Bale also was founder of the Barren County YMCA.In honor of Bale, South Central Banks seven branches will be closed Friday.