Obituary of Joseph "Tony" Chester Badgett Jr.

Joseph Chester “Tony” Badgett, Jr., 85, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 18, 1938, to the late Dr. Chester and Ruth Cloyd Badgett. He graduated from Campbellsville High School, Campbellsville College (AD and BS), Georgetown College (MA), and Transylvania University (BS).  He served in the Army National Guard in the early 1960’s while teaching math in the Hardin and Franklin County school systems.  He then became employed by IBM in Lexington, KY where he worked as a systems analyst, a job he loved, until his early retirement in 1990 when IBM was purchased by LexMark.  Following IBM, he held similar positions at SBC and Unysis Corporation. More recently, he enjoyed his work at Keeneland and as a doorman for the Kentucky State Legislature. 

Tony was saved and baptized as a child, becoming a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church where his father was pastor.  Most of his childhood and young adulthood was spent in Campbellsville where he was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church, also pastored by his father.  After moving to Frankfort, he joined Thornhill Baptist Church, where he played a large role shepherding the youth for many years, especially helping to serve food and visit with the kids during “snack & yak” on Sunday evenings.  At the time of his death, he was a member of Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church and the Senior Men’s Sunday school class. 

Tony could always be found spending time with his family and/or helping someone else with anything needed.  Those who knew Tony well will always remember his servant’s heart.  He was never happier than when his wife and daughters were around.  He and Priscilla enjoyed watching UK ballgames together and tackling the daily crossword puzzle as well as attending ballgames, graduations, and performances by his children, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.  He was always up for anything, even a trip to Walmart, if it meant he could spend that time with someone he loved. 

He is survived by his daughters, Jill (Joel) Van Tassel of Lexington, and Julie Badgett of Frankfort; his brother, Dr. Tom Badgett (Rachel) of Louisville; his sister Ruth Ann (Bob) Shaw of Frankfort; his sisters-in-law, Agnes Cooper of Allen Park, MI, Barbara Goode of Frankfort, Patricia “Patty” (Kent) Emerson of Dunnville, and Carole Kruse of Frankfort; and his brother-in-law, David Cooper of Creston; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Priscilla Cooper Badgett and her parents, Everett T. and Beatrice Redford Cooper; his brothers-in-law, Edward Cooper, Kenneth Cooper, and Frank Goode; his sister-in-law, Peggy Cooper; and his nephew, Jeffrey Cooper.  

The funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Clark Legacy Center, Frankfort, KY.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place from 11:00am until the time of service on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at Clark Legacy Center. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ClarkLegacyCenter.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Bluegrass Care Navigators at bgcarenav.org/ways-to-give.