Beech Tree News Network

Rodney  Kelbert Givens, 86, of Quality, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, Tn.  He was born in the community of Quality in  Butler Co., Ky. on September 20, 1929, to the late Ross and Eliza Hope Givens. Rodney was a member of Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Ky. Mr. Givens graduated from Morgantown High School in 1948 and from Western Ky. University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  While in college, he was a member of the Arnold Air Society. Following college graduation,  he entered the U.S. Air Force for a 20-year career which included working for the Strategic Air Command and for the Air Training Command.  He was chosen to attend and graduated from Squadron Officers School and Air Command and Staff College at the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.  He also graduated from the Petroleum Institute in Oxford, England.  He obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Lt. Col. Givens was selected the outstanding member of the Air Training Command. He received 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and a  Bronze Star for outstanding work in Vietnam.  He was a lifetime member of the Military Officers Association and Air Force Association. He was a Golden Eagle in the National Rifles Association. Following his career in the Air Force, Lt. Col. Givens returned to Butler Co. and owned and operated the Quality Charolais Farm until 2014. He was a member of the Butler Co. Stockman's Association Ky. Cattleman Association, Ky. Charolais Association and the American International Charolais Association
Mr. Givens became interested in Forestry and became a Certified tree farm.  In 2004 he received the Courier-Journal Tom Wallace Farm Forestry award for having carried out an outstanding multiple use forest management programs.   In 2010  he received 3rd place for the State of Ky. Outstanding  Forest Steward. He was chosen Butler Co. Master Conservationist.  He was a member of the Ky. Woodland Association and the National Woodland Association Mr. Givens is a Mason of the Cassia Lodge #272 in Morgantown, the Western Ky Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Madisonville, Ky., and Rizpah Shriners in Madisonville, Ky.

 Lt. Col. Givens is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marjorie Maddox and brother in law Robert Maddox. 2 nephews; Waymon McKinney & Randy McKinney.
 
Mr. Givens is survived by his wife of 48 years, Karen Lee Givens of Quality, Ky. 1 daughter; Kyllie Doughty (Tim) of Woodbury, Ky. 1 Son; Joseph Ross Givens (Debbie) of Morgantown, Ky. 3 grandchildren; Ryan Doughty (Andrea) of Louisville, Ky.  Chad Doughty (Amber) of Morgantown, Ky. Laura Lynn Wilson (Billy) of Morgantown, Ky. 4 great grandchildren; Hannah, Dean, Wyatt & Melody Doughty of Morgantown. 1 Nephew; Kerry McKinney (Lesia) of Morgantown, Ky. Several great nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at Smith Funeral Home, 403 North Main St., Morgantown, Ky. on Wednesday, July 27 @ 11a.m. with Benny Stofer Officiating.

Visitation is on Tuesday, July 26 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday.

 Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at www.smithfuneralhomeonline.com