‘You couldn’t meet Henry Earl, and not love him’: Lexington icon dies at 74

A Lexington Celebrity Passes Away

A popular figure amongst the residents of Lexington, Henry Earl, made his final exit over the weekend, passing away at the ripe age of 74. A former homeless man, Earl was renowned as the city’s most arrested individual and had even garnered attention at the national level owing to his multiple stays in prison. Despite this, his later years were marked by relative obscurity.

Ginny Ramsey, a co-founder of Lexington’s Catholic Action Center, described Earl as a charmer, a complex individual who was part of many stories regarding the city’s street life. A friend to those at the Center, Earl was memorable for his humorous spirit and indomitable personality.

A Free Spirit at Heart

Ramsey’s mission is to help those suffering from homelessness, a situation which Earl, despite being a vibrant soul, often found himself in. Earl was part of the Catholic Action Center’s housing program, but his free spirit often enticed him to stay outside past the curfew, reflecting his resistance to a life’s routine.

A Life Lived on His Terms

Earl had his share of challenges and hardships. After the demise of his adoptive mother, he fell into the habit of drinking, which became a recurring issue in his life. With the digitization of Lexington Fayette Urban County Government’s booking system in 1992, it was recorded that Earl was arrested almost 1300 times. This unconventional lifestyle worried his well-wishers who feared he might meet his end on the streets.

The Final Years

However, Earl did not meet his end on the streets. With no known family, he found a home at the Owenton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Facility in September of 2017. Earl spent his final years there, cared for by the facility workers who assembled for a service in his memory at Owenton Cemetery.

Remembering Henry Earl

Two of the facility workers, Charlotte Woods and Kirsten Dempsey, who knew Earl closely, remember him as a pleasant man who brightened up the surroundings with his charm and wit. Ramsey shared a picture of Earl, received in a care package sent to him two months ago, expressing how despite being troublesome at times, Earl felt like a part of the family at the Catholic Action Center.

“You couldn’t meet Henry Earl, and not love him”

Henry Earl’s absence will be profoundly felt by those who knew him, but the memories he has left behind will continue to bring smiles to those who remember him. His name will be honored on Memorial Day at the Catholic Action Center, acknowledging his contribution to their community and celebrating his indelible spirit.