Ramey, George - 5/20/05 - 9/23/81

George Ramey served for 23 years as Director of Mayo State Vocational School until his retirement in 1975. Under this tutelage, Mayo State became one of the outstanding centers of vocational training in Kentucky. George had been a public school teacher and administrator at Meade Memorial school prior to his career in vocational education.

 

Ramey, Venus -

Venus Ramey is the only Kentuckian ever to be selected as Miss America. A native of Paintsville, the daughter of Evalina Brown Ramey and John Ramey, Venus performed on Huntington radio stations as a child and during her teen years. She later moved to Washington, D. C., where became a Conover Model and was selected to represent the nation's capital in Atlantic City in 1944. She traveled extensively throughout the United States on War Bond and USO tours during World War II. After operating a farm in Kentucky for several years, Venus eventually moved to Cincinnati where she served on that city's City Council.

Reed, Lonza - 8/12/02

The Reverend Lonza Reed, the son of Asa J. and Elizabeth Gullett Read, has been a Baptist preacher for most of his adult life. Lonza was educated in one room schools in Johnson County through the 8th grade after which he pursued additional classes when available. Lonza and his wife made a living by farming and operating a general store at Flat Gap. The Reeds later became poultry farmers. Lonza served as Johnson County Court Clerk 1942 through 1950. At 97 years of age and with nine of his 11 children still living, Lonza is still active in his church.

Rice, Garland Hurt - 10/24/1886 – 1/9/76d

Garland H. Rice was educated at Millersburg Military Institute. Upon his return to Paintsville he joined his father in the insurance business and became active in civic and church affairs. He served as a Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Citizens National Bank. For more than 50 years Garland Rice was a Trustee of First Methodist Church, a charter member of the Paintsville Rotary Club. He was a Mason and a Shriner until his death. During the Great Depression Mr. Rice served as regional relief administrator. He and his wife, Mabel Auxier Rice had one child, Mary Grace Rice Garland.

Rice, H. B. - 1/11/1854 - 3/9/23

Born on Jennies Creek in Johnson County, Harvey Burns Rice was educated at National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio, and taught school thereafter in Johnson County before entering the general merchandise retail business in Paintsville with his brother Elliot at the corner now occupied by First National Bank. Mr. Rice later formed H. B. Rice Insurance Company. He was elected County Judge in 1902.

 

 

Rice, Robert M. Sr. - 8/7/29 

 

Robert Rice served as an electronics instructor at Mayo State Vocational /Technical School for more than 31 years. A native of S 1940s in Sitka in Johnson County, Bob Rice served in U. S. Air Force in the course of which he began a study of electronics and became an expert in this field. He was one of the authors of the first electronics communications code book, JANAPs (Joint Army Navy Air Force Procedures). Bob had the rare ability to explain this technology in ways which others could understand. Prior to joining Mayo's teaching staff, he was involved in the experimental phases of ballistic missile testing at Cape Canaveral. Early in his teaching career, the U. S. Weather Bureau used Bob to conduct a feasibility study on the use of high frequency radio waves in Eastern Kentucky's mountainous terrain. The result was the use of two-way radio communication by the Bureau. Bob Rice is married to the former Betty Davis of Meally. The couple has three children.

 

Rule, C. T. "Tobe" - ??? - 6/20/48

Tobe Rule, a native of Louisa, was one of Johnson County's most aggressive and progressive businessmen during the first three decades of the Twentieth Century. Following a term as postmaster of Staffordsville, Tobe became an active shareholder in Paintsville Grocery Company along with James Auxier. After selling his interest to Dan Wheeler, Tobe, along with J. B. Wells, bought Foster-Meade Hardware and changed the name to Big Sandy Hardware Company. He also served as President of Second National Bank (now Citizens National Bank). In 1924 he built and operated the Rule Hotel on Main Street, a building most recently occupied by Maggard & Joseph Furniture. Tobe was one of the valley's outstanding semi-pro baseball players between 1910 and 1920.

 

Runyon, Bill Mike -

(See Sports Highlights)

 

Shearer, Malcolm - 9/22/04 - 5/16/87

Malcolm Shearer was a retired major in the U. S. Marine Corps when he assumed management of Daniel's Dairy Bar at the corner of Second and Court Streets. With the name changed to Malcolm's, the restaurant continued to be the favorite hang-out of generations of high school students. Malcolm and his wife, Dutch, were very popular with their teenage customers. The restaurant was sold to Jimbo Eldridge.

 

Short, Homer - 10/4/28

Homer Short, a self-made coal operator, land developer and banker, was born at Buffalo in Johnson County. He attended Meade Memorial High School before entering the coal business in the county. Homer eventually sold his coal holdings to Ashland Coal, after which he began land acquisition and development projects. He began construction of Mayo Plaza in 1976 and continues to add new businesses each year. Homer became the majority shareholder of Family Bank, FSB, in 1993 and remains its Chairman and President. While the full extent of Homer's holdings is not known, it is believed that Homer is the wealthiest native Johnson County has ever had. Homer and Mary McKenzie Short have six children.

Stafford, F. M. - 11/15/1838 - 5/16/24

"Uncle Bud" Stafford was one of the largest property owners in Johnson County, having acquired most of his holdings from his brothers and sisters in what is known today as Stafford Addition and included, at one time, everything south of Paint Creek to Burnt Cabin and the Big Sandy River. During the Civil War he was a member of the state militia.