Dr. Bobby Austin Guilfoil

GLASGOW - Guilfoil, Dr. Bobby Austin, 76, passed away September 27, 2011, peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends.

Bobby joyfully joins his wife of 50 years, Sherry Dale Little Guilfoil, who passed away May 25, 2011. Bobby grew up on a farm in Athens, KY, where he developed his love for the land and animals. He attended Athens High School, playing baseball and basketball, and was active in FFA and 4-H. After graduating from Athens High School, he attended the University of Kentucky where he studied Animal Science. He left UK prior to obtaining his degree in order to accept a coveted slot at the School of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, where he met his wife Dale. He was a member of Omega Tau Sigma professional fraternity at Auburn. He graduated from Auburn in 1961 and afterwards, was commissioned in the US Army and stationed in Staten Island, NY. He proudly served as relief veterinarian for the West Point mules. He left the service as a captain and moved back to his beloved Kentucky where he and Dale settled in Glasgow to practice veterinary medicine and raise their family.

While in Glasgow, his love for politics emerged, leading him to being awarded Barren County Democrat of the Year in 1997, and becoming Chairman of the Barren County Democrat party in 2000. Along with politics (and his famous political pig roasts), his passion for not only animal health, but the welfare of his community, lead him to service on the Barren County Board of Health. He actively served for 40 years. He was appointed to the local Board in 1966, was Elected Chairman in 1994, where he remained until June 2006. He also was appointed to the District Board of Health in 1999. He was a longtime member and Deacon of First Christian Church in Glasgow.

While he believed in technology in his field, he was known for his innate ability to read animals and their needs. He developed life long friendships in the fields of Barren County where he was known to stop in between "calls" to show off his tobacco cutting abilities, well-honed as a child. He was compassionate and gentle, always optimistic and never in a hurry. He always had time to share.

He is survived by his three children, Kelly Knight (Judson), Marc A. Guilfoil (Katherine) all of Lexington and Micah G. Guilfoil (John Ridgill) of Louisville. He will be terribly missed by his grandchildren, Mia Moross, Jane Brady Knight, John Austin Guilfoil and Lily Guilfoil, all of Lexington. He also is survived by Troy C. Venables (Giovanna) of Danville whom he considered an adopted son. Of his eight siblings, he is survived by sisters, Patricia Ellis of Lexington, Angela Tartar of North Carolina, and a brother, Mike Guilfoil, of Lexington. He is also survived by his beloved Aunt Florence Baesler of Lexington.

He is predeceased by his wife, Sherry Dale Little Guilfoil, originally from Hokes Bluff, AL, his parents, John Andrew and Lula Baesler Guilfoil, his brothers John "Junie" Guilfoil Jr., Charles Edward Guilfoil; and sisters, Doris Guilfoil Phelps, Lois Guilfoil Burton and Nancy Guilfoil Graham. He also lost two of his best friends in the death of his in-laws, William "Bill" and Hazel Little of Hokes Bluff.

Memorial services will be held at the First Christian Church of Glasgow on Friday September 30, 2011 at 1 p.m. with visitation starting at 9 a.m. Hatcher & Saddler Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

The family would like to express appreciation to Home Instead Senior Care, T.J. Sampson Hospice services, Van Homecare and the wonderful caring sitters who showed such compassion and love to both Bobby and Dale at the last of their lives. The family would also like to thank the community and Bobby and Dale's friends for over 47 years who made their lives and deaths so special.

Alternative forms of expression of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to Barren River Animal Welfare Association "BRAWA" of Glasgow.