NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Reverend Bill Bales, who officiated Friday's funeral service for Jessamine County Sheriff Kevin Corman, had a long-standing joke with his friend.
"He told me, 'I'll keep you out of jail,' and I told him, 'I'll keep you out of hell,'" the Reverend said while eulogizing his friend during Friday's 30-minute service at the RJ Corman rail complex in Jessamine County.
Kevin Corman passed away at home last weekend. Police say he died of natural causes five days after losing a primary election that would cost him the job he held for 18 years. But he told friends that he was coming to grips with the loss.
"I talked to him the day he lost the election, and he seemed to be accepting it because he was only going to run one more term anyway. It's not like it was the beginning of his career," said Monte Young, the sheriff's friend for many years.
Some of the procession for Sheriff Kevin Corman as he’s being taken to his final resting place. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/WYEgBBuxK2
— Michael Berk (@LEX18_Michael) May 27, 2022
The sheriff had four grandchildren and was looking forward to spending time with them and his children on the family's farm. Instead, that's where he was laid to rest following Friday's service.
"He was just a super friend, a super sheriff, and this community is going to miss Kevin dearly," said Chauncey Tudor, who was friends with Corman for 35 years. Mr. Tudor said that Corman had just visited his home a day before he passed.
"He was always a big cut-up! [He] always had a joke and a big smile. But mostly, he was always willing to help people. He never turned anyone away," Tudor continued.
Reverend Bales shared a similar story, saying it wasn't uncommon for Sheriff Corman to show up at area hospitals at all hours of the night.
"…Not to do paperwork or investigate, but to offer comfort," Reverend Bales said of his friend.
Sheriff Kevin Corman was 64 years old.
