Barry Bertram, 89, of Campbellsville, KY, son of the late Judge George O. Bertram and Golda Risen Bertram, was born August 29, 1935 in Taylor County, Kentucky. He died at 10:15pmET on Thursday, January 2, 2025 in Campbellsville.
He professed faith in Christ and was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church. Barry had served 59 years with the Gideons International and was also a 19-year Trustee at Campbellsville University and on the Board of Directors at Community Trust Bank. He was also a graduate of Vanderbilt University.
“He was one of the first to befriend me when I arrived here three years ago,” said Dr. Joseph Hopkins, president of Campbellsville University. “I found him to be an excellent servant leader, both for us and the community.
“He was a combination of uncommon intellect and kindness. I leaned on him as a source of wisdom.”
Barry faithfully served as a Community Trust Bank Advisory Director for 34 years and was a board member of First Federal Savings and Loan prior to that, according to CTB Regional President Ricky Sparkman.
“Barry was a good friend and mentor and was always available to help when called upon. His humor and insight will be greatly missed,” Sparkman said.
Barry loved to tell stories — about himself and others. He knew how to laugh at himself, which made his way of turning a phrase very special. Al Hardy, former pastor of Good Hope Baptist Church and a frequent host to Barry when he was making his rounds for Gideons International, said Barry had a quick wit.
“It was really quite remarkable how quick a comeback he could come up with seeing how he kind of stumbled around while telling a story.”
Gideons meant everything to Barry. At one time he had attended 50 consecutive international conventions and was a regular speaker at area churches on behalf of the organization. He was also the very first president of the local camp which was chartered in 1966. He also served as state president for Gideons for three years.
Don Green, who is Church Assignment Chairman of the local camp, served with Barry for 28 years.
“He was faithful to the Gideons, not just financially but with his time.”
Sports played a big role in his life as well. You might find him running, playing tennis or golfing in-between his heavy work schedule.
He was super competitive and cultivated much respect on the Miller Park tennis courts.
W.D. McCubbin was an young, upstart tennis player, who was introduced to Barry’s competitive fire at the Miller Park tennis courts.
“I loved spending time with Barry at the tennis courts, Jeff’s, golfing and other spots. He always had some very detailed story to tell and I loved hearing them… sometimes for a second or third time because he loved sharing.
“He was the toughest tennis player I experienced as a 16 year old. We played three tie breakers the first time we played. He overheard me tell my grandfather to come back to pick me up in an hour. He kept me out there for three hours.
“I got a tennis education from a 50-plus-year-old tri-athlete! He loved telling that story and that I was the only local high school tennis player to beat him the first time around. Every time we were around other tennis players he told that story and told it so much better than me — giving every detail about the rainy day and how we missed the entire MLB All Star game as we rolled the wet courts off to play.
“My son, Hayden, wasn’t quite able to escape with a win versus the 75-plus-year-old Barry. It went to a third set too. After the match Barry gave me a list of things Hayden should work on. He was still ready to take on that tennis player gatekeeper role.”
Barry was a retired attorney and prosecutor for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
He was an avid Vanderbilt University and UK Fan.
He united in marriage to Margaret Pickett October 11, 1954 and she preceded him in death August 2, 2022.
Barry is survived by two sons and two daughters: John David Bertram and wife, Leah, of Campbellsville; George Barry “Chip” Bertram and wife, Carolyn, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Teri Anne Bertram Campbell and husband, Dale, of Nashville, Tennessee; and Margaret Kathryn “Kathy” McCabe and husband, Scott, of Old Hickory, Tennessee; six grandchildren: George Ryan Bertram of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Molly McCabe of Richmond, Virginia; Dillon Scott McCabe and Sally Grace McCabe of Nashville, Tennessee; Grace Bertram Dickens and husband, Jake, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Benjamin David Bertram and fiance’, Catherine Allen of Campbellsville; two great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Marie Bertram and George Nolan Bertram of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; one brother, Phil Allan Bertram and wife, Missy of Campbellsville; several nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Kay Risen Bertram Collins March 2, 1996.
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VISITATION: 4:00 - 7:30 P.M., Saturday, January 4, 2024 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home
FUNERAL SERVICE: 7:30pmET on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville by Dr. Dwayne Norman
BURIAL: Brookside Cemetery
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY REQUESTED TO BE DONATIONS TO GIDEON BIBLES AND MAY BE MADE AT PARROTT & RAMSEY FUNERAL HOME
To view the Funeral Service for Barry Bertram, please visit https://www.facebook.com/parrott.ramsey.52/at the time of the service.
You may also view a tribute from Richard Robards that adequately represents the esteemed life of Barry Bertram at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18RXoy62vn/ .
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