Joseph Dalton "Joe" Tobin

Joseph Dalton "Joe" Tobin Jr., 75, of Brandenburg, passed away Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Jewish Hospital in Louisville.

He was born Sept. 24, 1937, to Joseph Dalton Tobin Sr. of Guston and Mary Hulett Broadbent Tobin formerly of Cadiz. He attended Irvington elementary and high schools and the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1959 with a degree in accounting. Upon graduating, he operated Tobin Equipment Company in Irvington and managed the family farming operation in Breckinridge, Meade and Trigg counties.

In 1969, he became president of First State Bank in Irvington. Over successive years, his efforts expanded First State Bank's operations throughout Breckinridge County. In addition to farming and banking enterprises, he operated Tobin Insurance Agency with offices in Irvington and Hardinsburg.

In 1984, he was the leading force behind the establishment of Meade County Bank in Brandenburg. The bank now has three locations throughout Meade County.

In 1986, he led First Breckinridge Bancshares into a period of expansion when he acquired West Point Bank in Hardin County and River City Bank in Jefferson County. In 1993, the organization acquired Bank of Clarkson in Grayson County. Each bank has expanded its number of locations and service areas. The organization now consists of 18 offices in five counties in central Kentucky with total assets of approximately $900 million.

In 1987, he was named general manager of Brandenburg Telephone Co., which provided telephone service to parts of Meade, Breckinridge and Hardin counties. Under his direction, the company has expanded its service territory and its services to include Internet, broadband and video services.

In partnership with other local telephone companies, he was a driving force behind the establishment of Bluegrass Cellular, which provides cellular telephone service to central Kentucky.

He took great pride in ensuring the businesses with which he was associated provided prompt, efficient and quality services at reasonable prices.

He was a loyal friend to many and a generous, thoughtful employer. He quietly contributed to many deserving individuals and causes.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Crawford of Brandenburg; three children, Allison (Dray) Willoughby of Irvington, Toby (Karen) Tobin of Brandenburg and Tom Tobin of Guston; a sister, Mary Ann Tobin of Irvington; six grandchildren, Tara, Dray, Dalton, T.J., Kasey, Kristin and Blake; and a great-grandson, Mason.

The funeral is at 1 p.m. Jan. 6, 2013, at Brandenburg Telephone Co. Burial follows in Cap Anderson Cemetery.
Visitation continues today from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at Brandenburg Telephone Co.

The family prefers expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the Mayo Clinic Program in Professionalism and Ethics, Department of Development Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905.

Alexander Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.