A Grayson County judicial giant and “brilliant mind” has passed away.
Judge Kenneth H. Goff I died on Saturday night.
The 99-year-old Goff — he would have turned 100 on November 1, 2026 — graduated from Caneyville High School in 1943 before matriculating to Western Kentucky University and then the University of Kentucky College of Law (now the Rosenberg College of Law), where he graduated in 1951.
He was admitted to the bar in 1951 and was a licensed attorney for 75 years. He served for decades as Circuit Court Judge, serving the 46th Judicial District which includes Grayson, Breckinridge and Meade counties. Goff also served as county attorney and commonwealth’s attorney.
For over 70 years, Goff was influential in bringing multiple industries, including the hospital, to Grayson County. He was instrumental in the development of two water plants, among innumerable other projects that made Grayson County a better place to live.
Goff additionally spearheaded the Memorial Day Parade, an event that continues to be a mainstay in the Grayson County community.
So influential was Goff that U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie sought out his advice as recently as April 2024.
“Last week I had a great meeting with Tom Goff and his father former Judge Kenneth Goff about how House Republicans have been working to grow our local economies and how we can continue Judge Goff’s legacy of upholding law and order across Grayson County and back the blue,” Guthrie said.
In 2022, recognizing the enduring impact Goff had on Grayson County, the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce honored him with its Hall of Fame award. He was only the second person to receive the honor.
“He was huge in the progression of our water plants, industry, chamber, courts and everything in between. Our community owes him a huge thank you for the lifelong work that he has given to Grayson County; what a legacy he will one day leave,” the Chamber said at the time.
Goff was great friends with the recently passed William “Turkey” Thomason, as they worked together on numerous projects over several decades. Thomason’s widow, Carolyn Thomason, remembers Goff fondly.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Judge Kenneth Goff,” Carolyn Thomason told K105. “He and Bill were icons who loved their community and worked on many projects together to improve our community. They were also good friends and kept in touch. I was also blessed to know him and his family. He had one of the most brilliant minds I ever met. They both had strong faith and I know they will be doing many heavenly projects (together) …”
In 1978, WMTL-FM was renamed in Goff’s honor with the call letters, WKHG. Goff was, at the time, president of Rough River Broadcasting.
Goff married his wife, Florene Shain Goff, on August 11, 1956. They were married until her death on April 11, 2022, at the age of 92. They had five children, Judge Kenneth H. Goff II, Thomas H. Goff, John H. Goff, Laura Jane Goff, and Tracey Lynn Goff.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
(Photo: Judge Kenneth H. Goff I receiving the Hall of Fame award from the Grayson Co. Chamber of Commerce in 2022, courtesy of the Grayson Co. Chamber of Commerce)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
