Four inducted into inaugural Corbin Hall of Honor

Karl Bays

A 1951 graduate of Corbin High School, Karl Bays achieved great things in his lifetime.  Bays left Corbin to play football at Eastern Kentucky University, where he was a three-year starter. After earning his MBA at Indiana University, he moved on to become a successful Chairman/CEO of two corporations, the Whitman Corporation and American Hospital Supply Company. In 1970, Bays was honored as Corbin Citizen of the Year for his accomplishments as an international businessman.  He served as a trustee at Duke University and Northwestern University, on the board of directors at Delta Airlines and the Amoco Corporation, Director Emeritus for Eastern Kentucky University Foundation, and as an artillery officer for the United States Marines.  He was inducted into the National Medical Industry Hall of Fame and his proudest award was the Horatio Alger Award of Excellence he received prior to his death in 1989.  Bays’ widow, Billie Jean Bays resides in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Bobby Goins

After his graduation from Corbin High School in 1947, Bobby Goins dedicated his life to his family, school and community.  Goins was always a dedicated supporter of students and initiatives of Corbin Independent Schools, both academic and athletic.  He was elected to and served as a member of the Corbin Board of Education from 1969-1993, serving many of those 24 years as Chairman of the Board.  An 18 year employee at Whayne Supply, Goins continued to support his community.  He was a Deacon at First Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the Corbin Lions Club.  Goins’ widow, Carrie, resides in Corbin.

Don Byrd

A member of the Corbin High School Class of 1963, Don Byrd did not end his career at Corbin Independent Schools.  Upon his graduation from Cumberland College, Byrd was hired in 1968 as a middle school teacher in the Corbin School System.  In 1974, he obtained his Masters Degree and Rank I from Eastern Kentucky University.  He was also hired as Principal of Central Primary School in 1974.  As a principal, he taught his students and staff members to be involved in the community by participating in worthwhile events such as the American Cancer Society Relay for Life each year.  Byrd retired in 2002 and still resides in Corbin.

Since her graduation from Corbin High School in 1964, Gail Myers Frederick has been an active member of this community paying particular attention to the arts.  In 1976, Frederick opened a dance studio in her garage with just a handful of students.  Widely known in Corbin and neighboring towns as ‘Miss Gail”, she continues to affect the lives of many young ladies and gentlemen at her gymnastics and dance studio. In addition to owning and operating the Gail Frederick School of Dance, Frederick is long-time coordinator of the Miss NIBROC Scholarship Pageant and volunteer with the Miss Whitley County Fair.  She was also instrumental in gaining community support for the renovation of what is now called the Betty Hamilton Center for the Performing Arts at Corbin High School.  Frederick resides in Corbin with her husband, Boyce.