Don C. "Big Don" Gish, Sr., 81, passed away unexpectedly Friday, March 2, 2018, after having spent an enjoyable evening with family.  He was a lifelong resident of Henderson, Kentucky, and was proud to call Anthoston, Kentucky, his home.

He was a 1955 graduate of Barret Manual Training High School and went on to play Division I Basketball at Tennessee Tech for two years before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan where he still holds the record for most rebounds in a single game.  Big Don was later inducted into the Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 for his basketball accomplishments.  For more than 20 years, Don taught Drivers Education and was head basketball coach for two seasons at Henderson County High School.

He was a constant figure at Ellis Park Racetrack for more than 60 years.  Don also impacted countless lives through his work with AA for more than 20 years.

He was a Kentucky Colonel.

Big Don was notorious for giving nicknames to everyone he knew and somehow managed never to forget each name.  Family and friends will forever miss his kind words, guidance, philosophy, and endless generosity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Cleo and Lorene Wright Gish.

Survivors include his son, Don C. Gish, Jr., and his wife, Sherry, of Henderson, Kentucky; his daughter, Kathy Gish of Henderson, Kentucky; four granddaughters, Chelsey Cahill and her husband, Anthony, and Alexa Scott, both of Tampa, Florida, Carlie Schadler and her husband, Eric, of Chicago, Illinois, and Maddie Gish of Henderson, Kentucky; one great-grandchild, Rhett Cahill; his special friend, Judy Combest; and his beloved dog, Muffin.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  The Reverend Dan Book and the Reverend Barry Skaggs will officiate.  Entombment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be T.L. Plain, Kelly Coleman, Lyle Dunbar, Benny Horrell, Frank N. "Nib" King, Jr., Dale Sights, Daryl Hallmark, and W.T. Bennett.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pascal Benson, Malcolm E. Neel, II, Marion Lee Eakins, III, Gary Auten, Buster Briley, R.A. "Cowboy" Jones, Earl Murphy, Bill Pfingston, Dorsey Ridley, Mike Bruder, Jackie Combest, Donald "Boodle" Brown, and Richard "Spanky" Morris.