Joe Brown McCord, Jr., age 73, husband to Sheila Walden McCord for 54 years, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at his home.

He was born in Fayette County, on September 24, 1945, to the late Joe Brown and Mary Frances Cassell McCord. He was 1963 graduate of Clark County High School.

Joe was a lifelong Clark County farmer and entrepreneur. He raised sheep, polled Hereford cattle, tobacco and hay. He was the first in Clark County to raise tobacco plants in greenhouses for himself and others. Freshwater shrimp and tilapia fish were also a first to be raised in ponds in KY by Joe. Joe grew vegetables (in the field as well as in the greenhouse in winter) for the market at the farm, Clark County and Lexington Farmer’s Markets, as well as five white table cloth restaurants in Lexington. Joe and his sons showed Polled Hereford cattle all over the United States and brought home many championships. In his “retirement” Joe went back to his love of woodworking using cherry and walnut wood from trees on Avalon Farm and started a Quail & Pheasant Hunting Preserve.

Joe was a Kentucky Colonel, former Clark County Fiscal Court Magistrate, member of KACo, Winchester Art Guild, KY Agriculture Association, KY Farm Bureau and Certified Roadside Market Program, KY Cattlemen’s Association, KY Proud, Chamber of Commerce, director for KY Polled Hereford Association, co-founder of the Clark County Farmer’s Market and Central KY Growers Association.

In addition to his parents Joe was preceded in death by a daughter and brother, Charlie McCord.

Joe is survived by sons, Joe B. McCord III (Kim) and Andrew McCord (Betsy); six grandchildren, Jordan (Courtney), Cody, Ella, Wyatt, Tyler and Will; one great-granddaughter, Kennedy; all of Clark County; a sister, Pam Watts (Bobby) of Centerville, OH; brother, Bill McCord of Clark County; several nephews, a niece, great-nephews, nieces and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00PM, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Scobee Funeral Home by Thomas H. Caudill.

Visitation will be from 11:00AM until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Clark County Animal Shelter, Holly Rood, Hospice East or charity of your choice.