Thorp L. Wolford

WOLFORD, THORP L., 94, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2012, in Louisville.

He was a graduate of Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and the University of Louisville where he earned a Master of Arts degree in English.

He began a career in law in Louisville in 1948 which continued for over 60 years. While practicing law full-time he also taught American literature in the University College at the University of Louisville for seventeen years from the 1950s until the early 1970s.

Thorp served as Trustee of Franklin College, Franklin, IN, where he was also conferred an honorary doctorate. He was a former deacon and member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, a member and past president of The Arts Club of Louisville, and a life member of and former counsel to The Filson. He was a life member, director, and past president of the University of Louisville Library Associates. He also served as a Director of The Ripley County Bank in Versailles, IN.

His other memberships included the Wranglers Club of which he served as Recording Secretary for 30 years, the Conversation Club, the Kiwanis Club of Louisville, the Indiana Historical Society, The Veterans of Future Wars of which he was a founding member, the Joe Stopher Sunday School Class at Broadway Baptist Church, the Louisville Bar Association and Kentucky Bar Association, The Executives Club of Louisville, The Pendennis Club, and the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Thorp delivered the Founders Day Address in 1977 at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of various academic and literary works including, "Democratic-Republican Party Reaction in Massachusetts to the Embargo of 1847" (published in 1942), "The Laws and Liberties of 1648" (published in 1948), "Edward Eggleston: Evolution of a Historian" (published in 1967), and co-author with his wife of Going On, (published in 2010), a collection of poetry.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leah J. Wolford and Leo T. Wolford.

Survived by his wife, Evelyn C. Wolford; his children, Elizabeth W. Finch, Linda W. Carter, Stephen T. Wolford (Coretta), Richard T. Wolford, John B. Wolford (Mary), Mary W. Arnault (Andrew) and Roger J. Wolford (Pam); 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Monday, February 13, 2012 at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, with graveside service at Cave Hill Cemetery immediately following. Visitation is Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane.

Thorp's family is especially grateful to the staff at Jefferson Place for their efforts and kind consideration during his stay.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to a charity of choice.