Franklin D. (Howard) Fain

August, 01, 1934 - August, 25, 2007

Kentucky Artist Franklin D ‘Howard’ Fain, 73, husband of Ruth Ann Rhorer Fain for 50 years, died Saturday, August 25, 2007 at the Hospice Care Center at St. Joseph Hospital after a short illness. He was the son of the late Clifford and Beulah Fain and a lifelong resident of Jessamine County. A graduate of Nicholasville High School in 1952, he attended the University of Kentucky majoring in art. Through further training with I.C.S. in Pennsylvania, he earned a diploma in commercial art. During his years at U.K. he worked for an engineering firm as well as an architectural firm. He later held, for seventeen years, the position of Vice-President and interior designer for Faulkner-Fain Corporation. At present and for the past 35 years he has been a full time artist and author. He was the founder and operator of Howard Fain Gallery from May 5, 1958 until May 1, 1997 and had worked from his home studio since retirement.

His work is found in all 50 states as well as several foreign countries. Some of his better known works are the Largemouth and the Smallmouth Bass prints that were distributed by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in Alabama. His Kentucky-American print was released for America's 200th Birthday, and can be found in many government offices. Drawings and stories from his book "Six Years Before Electricity" were published in 19 issues of the Country Extra magazine, based in Glendale, Wisconsin. The pictures and stories in this book are from real life experiences, as a farm boy, growing up without electricity.

He has typically shown with pen and brush many of his native Jessamine County's past scenes. Churches, schools, historic buildings and related subjects have become his favorite subjects. He has published over 400 pieces in limited edition and has done more than 700 private commissions for collectors over the United States.

Other than his wife, he is survived by a son, Jessamine County Circuit Clerk Howard Douglas ‘Doug’ Fain and his wife, Amy Pritchett Fain and his 3 youngest grandchildren, Haleigh Cecilia Fain, Jonathan Pritchett Fain and Katherine Elizabeth ‘Katie Beth’ Fain, all of Nicholasville. His other son, Cecil Allen Fain, a full time Lexington, KY Firefighter, was killed in the line of duty January 2, 1993 while serving with the Jessamine County Fire Department. Cecil and his wife Paula had one son, Howard's oldest grandchild, Kaihlab Allen Fain. He is also survived by a daughterñin-law, Paula Carson Fain Jasper and her husband Jeff and their children, Amanda , Madison and Morgan Jasper, all of Bryantsville, and his brother-in-law William T. ‘Bill’ Davis, Nicholasville. In addition to his parents and son, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Allen Fain Davis and his in-laws, Cecil and Dixie West Rhorer.

He is a Charter member of Edgewood Baptist Church in Nicholasville, where he has served as Deacon, Trustee and Sunday School Teacher. He was active as a scout leader for several years. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas with the 100th Division and attained the rank of Staff Sargent.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 11:00 am at the Edgewood Baptist Church with his son, Doug Fain and Rev. Steve Sholar. Rev. Earl Hohman will conduct the graveside services at Bluegrass Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 28, 2007 from 2:00 pm. To 8:00 pm at the church. Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Active casket bearers will be: Kaihlab Fain, Jonathan Fain, Curt Poor, Stanley Gillispie, Mike Rupard, Dan Stocker, Bill Alley, Joe Waits, Ray Bradshaw and Mike Garrett.

Honorary bearers will be: Howard Downing, Tommy Cobb, Charles E. ‘Sunny’ Johns, Paul Faulkner, Bill Black, Foxie Blanton and Harold Ransdell. The family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, Jessamine County Chapter, 109 Shannon Parkway, Nicholasville, Ky 40356.

View Tribute and sign guestbook at www.hagerandcundifffunerals.com

Funeral Information

2 to 8 PM Tues. Aug. 28, Edgewood Baptist Church

11:00 AM Wed. Aug. 29, Edgewood Baptist Church

Bluegrass Memorial Gardens