Forkner
Holly Rufus Forkner Jr., 95, of Smithville, Tennessee, formerly of Woodford County, Kentucky, passed away on Aug.15, 2026. He was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Burlington, Kentucky, to the late Holly Rufus Forkner Sr. and Elizabeth (Poer) Forkner.
Holly was loved by his family and was devoted to all his children and extended family. He was involved in his community through his work, his church and his many outdoor activities both on the water and in the air.
Holly graduated from Versailles High School and the University of Kentucky before joining the Navy, retiring as a lieutenant commander. Holly worked for Texas Instruments as manufacturing manager in Versailles and for The Scott Fetzer Company as plant manager of the Kingston Timer Plant in Smithville, Tennessee, before retiring as marketing and research manager for The Scott Fetzer France Division in Fairview, Tennessee.
Holly was a long-time member of the Smithville Methodist Church, serving as finance chairman and audio technician, and a Kentucky Colonel. He enjoyed boating, skiing, flying airplanes, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes and photography. One of his greatest pleasures was flying his RC planes with his friends in the UCRCS Treetoppers.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Betty Jo (Motley) Forkner; daughter, Gayle (Steve) Lamb, Fla.; sons, Holly Rufus Forkner III (Margi), Midway, Ky., Charles Scott (Joanie) Forkner, Versailles, and stepsons, William Stewart Gash II (Suzanne) and David Bruce Gash (Tina) of Smithville, Tenn.; 6 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and 7 step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Bettye Jean Perry and grandchildren Nathan Forkner and Seth Freeman.
Visitation was held at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home on Monday, Aug.17, followed by a Celebration of Life at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home in Versailles on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Burial was in the Versailles Cemetery. Pallbearers were Matthew, Adam, Alex, Abby, Addie Forkner and Caleb Gash.