Harold D. Rector

Published 11:21 am Thursday, July 11, 2013

Harold D. Rector, 88, of Bowling Green, passed away July 10, 2013, at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky.

The Warren County native was a son of the late Clifton and Venus Cox Rector and husband of 56 years to the late Ann Martin Rector. He is preceded in death by a sister, Frankie Rector Martin. 

He joined the Navy during WWII and served as a gunner’s mate on Merchant Marine ships. After three years of service, he studied industrial arts at Western Kentucky College and worked for the Kentucky Highway Department. In 1949, he began The Welcome Workshop with Lloyd Cassady. Two years later he formed Rector’s Furniture Shop, which evolved into Rector’s Cherry Reproductions. Until recently, he worked alongside his sons, Duane and Ray. He raised and showed Tennessee Walking Horses and in 2012, he was inducted into the South Central Kentucky Walking Horse Association Hall of Fame. He was proud of his large family and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He served as PTA president at Bristow School and was always interested in his family’s interests and professions.

Survivors include his children, Duane Rector (Karen), Cynthia Rector Frey (Vaughn), Sally Rector Rone (Mike), Ray Rector, Susan Rector Throneberry (Robert), Nancy Rector Roberts, Judy Rector Mitchell ( Mike) and Lisa Rector Heile (Dan); grandchildren, Kristy Rector Lee, Diana Rector Lansden, Billy Frey, John Frey, Alison Rone Cardwell, Adam Rone, Alana Rone Wade, Jordan Ryan Zuccarell, John David Ryan, Jessica Throneberry, Rachel Roberts, Melissa Henry, Megan Henry, Meredith Henry Emans, Katie Mitchell, Reed Mitchell, Jessica Mitchell, Ben Heile, Andrew Heile and Thomas Heile; great-grandchildren, Braxton Lee, Bralon Lee, Olivia Frey, Caitlynn Cardwell, Alexas Cardwell, Dalton Edmonds, Brittany Cardwell, Aubrey Zuccarell, Cailey Walker, Brynn Walker, Trinity Short, Cooper Short, Wyatt Emans, Brody Mitchell, Caroline Heile and Samuel Heile; three sisters, Sara Rector Meisel, Patsy Rector Watkins and Jeanette Rector Estes; and one brother, Elston Rector.

Funeral service is at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hardy & Son Funeral Home, Bowling Green Chapel, with burial in Smiths Grove Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Officiating their grandfather’s service will be the Rev. Ben Heile, the Rev. John David Ryan and Billy Frey.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Hospice of Southern Kentucky, 5872 Scottsville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42104.