08/28/2025
Please join us in congratulating our long time employee on his upcoming induction into the Woodford County Public Schools Hall of Fame. Congrats Gary!!!
Meet our 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees. Induction ceremonies to take place Sept. 5th and Sept 6th.
Today we recognize Gary W. Finnell (WCHS 1966) Life long service to Woodford Co. & Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame Member
In 2019 the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame (KVHOF) inducted Gary into its ranks. The Hall, which recognizes Kentucky Veterans for significant post military contributions, noted that following his 20 years of military service his public deeds and accomplishments have continued to serve and inspire his fellow man.
At WCHS, Gary was an honored leader in the Future Farmers of America and has lived a life which has carried out the FFA motto: "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning the Live, Living to Serve."
After the Army, Gary has served with both the Woodford County and Versailles Fire Departments and has worked for 44 years for Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home.
In his community, he has been a member of the Woodford Co. Human Rights Commission and the Board of Health, and served as a Magistrate on the Fiscal Court with the last four years as the Judge/Exec Pro-Tem. He is an active member of the Masonic Lodge, leading the annual donation drive for their backpack program with average contributions of $15,000. He also coordinates the donation of bicycles for students at the elementary and middle school who have perfect attendance, sponsors the Project Graduation event, and awards a $1,000 annually to a Woodford County High School Senior.
For 10 years Gary voluntarily videoed football games for the Woodford Co. Middle and High School coaches and staff.
