Scott County residents Kenneth and Nancy (Barr) Burton may not have been lifelong residents, but through a planned gift to the Scott County Community Foundation, their legacy will benefit our residents for generations to come.
Ken was born in Richmond, Ind., and lived on an 86-acre farm with his parents, brother, Stephen, and sister, Donna. Ken loved the country and life on the farm. He was active in FFA, 4-H, various horse clubs, and competed in Tri-State rodeos. He attended Williamsburg Junior and Senior High School until his senior year, when he transferred to Northeastern Wayne High School. He enjoyed being a drummer in the band, and was a member of the honors society. Ken began his academic career in pre-med at UK, but decided medicine was not his preferred career path. He settled in at UofL Inventory Control, where he remained for 37 years until he retired in 2013. In his spare time, he ran a music store on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville.
Nancy was born in New Albany, Ind., where she lived with her parents and two sisters, June and Carol. Her father ran Barr?s Transmissions in New Albany while her mother was active raising three girls. Growing up, Nancy loved all sports and was a member of the women?s swim team, tennis team, softball team, and basketball team. Music was also a big part of her youth, as she played flute and piccolo throughout junior high and high school in the stage band, marching band, orchestra, and pep band. Nancy received her undergraduate degree in business (finance and economics) and her master?s degree in education (human resources). In her early years, she taught business classes at a community college, and emergency response instruction to first responders. For most of her career, she has been employed at UofL, where she is currently a financial manager within the Dental School. Nancy is now enjoying semi-retirement and only works part-time.
?We searched for two years to find just the right place to settle,? shared Nancy. ?Scottsburg and its community spirit fit perfectly.?
Ken and Nancy enjoy working their 30-acre farm with horses just outside of Scottsburg. ?We enjoy trail riding with our horses and camping, and rarely say ?no? to a game of euchre!? said Nancy.
Their civic memberships include the Scott County Sheriff?s Posse, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Scott County Emergency Management Committee, Salem Mounted Search & Rescue Patrol, and Jackson County Sheriff?s Posse.
In fact, it was as a member of the Scott County Sheriff?s Posse that Nancy first became acquainted with the Community Foundation, when she applied for a grant for radios for Posse members in 2013. The next year she joined the Foundation?s Board of Directors and she is finishing six years of service at the end of September 2020.
?Being involved with my community through the Scott County Community Foundation is such a rewarding experience,? said Nancy. ?Many of the needs within the community are being met by so many wonderfully caring people.?
Ken and Nancy have chosen to leave an unrestricted gift in their will. As a longtime grants committee member, Nancy was able to see the impact of unrestricted grants in our community each year.
?We enjoy our community and the wonderful folks who so warmly greeted us when we purchased our farm in 2011,? said Nancy. ?Since that time, we have made so many friends who feel as we do about the growth and opportunities within Scott County. We knew we wanted to do what we could today, and in the future to support this wonderful community. Offering a planned gift to the Community Foundation was how we chose to leave our legacy. I encourage you to do the same.?
