Harold R. Wainscott

Harold R. Wainscott passed away on January 29, 2026, in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the age of 96. Born on November 29, 1929, in Owen County, Kentucky, Harold led a life defined by service, education, and a deep curiosity and passion for science and technology.

Having graduated from Owenton High School in 1947, Harold’s path continued with a distinguished ten-year career in the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. His military service took him to various locations, including Ft. Knox, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, and notably, he played a crucial role in the Pacific atomic testing area in the Marshall Islands. As a meteorologist, Harold was responsible for predicting atomic bomb fallout, with assigned involvement in nearly 30 detonations. He was present for the first test of a thermonuclear device (hydrogen bomb), service experience for which he and those who served with him are sometimes referred to as "Atomic Veterans."

Harold dedicated himself to teaching through his rewarding career at Northern Kentucky Vocational & Technical School, where he taught data processing for many years. His passion for science, education, and technology was evident, as he embraced computers since the 1950s and emphasized their application in everyday life. Alongside his love for teaching and technology, Harold possessed a flair for storytelling and an enthusiasm for travel, which he cherished especially with his beloved wife, Betty Jo.

Harold and Betty Jo's 51-year partnership was marked by mutual love and respect, as evidenced by their design and personal construction of their home in 1975, a testament to their creative vision and commitment. Harold's surviving legacy includes his son, Dr. Barry (Susan) Wainscott, stepson, Don (Anne) Taylor, and a host of extended family and community, including his friends and helpers, Patty Avriett and Larry Chowning. He was preceded by his parents, Riley T. and Emma Elizabeth Wilson Wainscott, his wife, Betty Jo Slaughter Wainscott, and his stepdaughter, Lori Taylor Powers.

Visitation for Harold R. Wainscott will be held on February 5, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at New Funeral Homes, 202 N. Main Street, Owenton, KY 40359, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. Private burial will be in the Owenton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Kentucky Educational Television (KET), Long Ridge Baptist Church, or Bluegrass Care Navigators Hospice.

The family expresses their deep gratitude for all the care, compassion, and support shown by healthcare workers, friends, relatives, and all in the community who helped in recent months