Duke and Duchess recipients asked to complete a short survey to verify contact information in preparation for a social event to kick off Foundation in 2026.
Over the past several months, Mayor George P. Bray in partnership with the City of Paducah has assembled a working group of interested citizens to develop the Duke & Duchess of Paducah Foundation.
“As we became more aware of the large number of Duke and Duchess awardees, the overall pride exhibited by the recipients, and their close ties to our community, an idea was born for a foundation that can make a real and lasting impact,” said Mayor George Bray. “Loosely modeled after the highly successful Kentucky Colonels, this new foundation will be focused on Paducah, McCracken County, and Western Kentucky, Paducah’s sphere of influence. Duke and Duchess awards, which were established in the 1950s, have been presented to thousands of recipients spread across the United States and other countries. We are well on our way in creating a charitable organization with the vision of enhancing and improving the quality of life for our community that will allow our Duke and Duchess honorees the opportunity to give back.”
The working group, which includes Mayor Bray, has met over the past few months to develop the Foundation’s draft bylaws and articles of incorporation, determine the financial plan, create a survey to gather information about Duke and Duchess recipients, and plan a social event to kick off the Foundation in early 2026. Working group members in alphabetical order are as follows: Julie Almon, Mayor George Bray, David Denton, Audra Kyle, Jennifer McIntosh Lasher, Caroline Murphy, Lee Rust, Tabetha Sisk, Pam Spencer, Dan Stayton, Rayla Trigg, and Beverly Underwood. To honor the extraordinary efforts of the working group, each member, who was not already a recipient, has been named a Duke or Duchess.
Over the past nearly 75 years, thousands of recipients have been named a Duke or Duchess of Paducah. It is important the Foundation has accurate contact information for those who have received these awards as invitations will be sent to all Dukes and Duchesses for our inaugural social event in 2026. All Duke or Duchess recipients are asked to complete a short survey. Also, if anyone has information about a Duke or Duchess recipient that may be helpful in developing the database (recipient moved to another state, for example), please complete the form at Duke and Duchess Recipient Survey.
The Foundation, once operational and substantially funded, will provide grants with funds to be held at the Community Foundation of West Kentucky. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for those who have been honored with having a Duke or Duchess award bestowed on them to stay connected and contribute to the Paducah community.
Donations currently are being accepted for the Duke & Duchess of Paducah Foundation. The online donation portal is not available yet; however, donations can be mailed to Community Foundation of West Kentucky, P.O. Box 7, Paducah, KY 42002. Make payments to the Community Foundation of West Kentucky with Duke & Duchess of Paducah Foundation in the memo line of the check.
Duke of Paducah History - The first person to use the title Duke of Paducah professionally and receive an award from the City of Paducah was Benjamin Francis Ford, also known as Whitey Ford. Ford, a banjo player and comedian, was called the Duke of Paducah starting in the 1930s. Even though Ford was born in Missouri, a radio station salesman who was from Paducah suggested that he use the title Duke of Paducah for publicity.
Ford received the first official Duke of Paducah award from the City of Paducah in 1953. City Commissioner George G. Jacobs who served at that time with Mayor Robert Cherry came up with the Duke of Paducah recognition idea and want to present the first award to Ford. Jacobs had met Ford that year at a fair in Metropolis. Ford agreed to come to Paducah to receive the official recognition of his title. In return, the City hoped the award would bring publicity to Paducah.
Ford was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986.
###
Pictured left to right: Dan Stayton, Jennifer McIntosh Lasher, Rayla Trigg, Lee Rust, Pam Spencer, Tabetha Sisk, Mayor George Bray, Caroline Murphy, Julie Almon, and Audra Kyle (not pictured David Denton and Beverly Underwood)
