The Transylvania community mourns the passing of James E. “Ted” Bassett III, a lifetime trustee, generous supporter of the university and the namesake of a campus residence hall. He died Thursday at the age of 103.
The funeral service is Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Lexington’s Central Christian Church on East Short Street.
Bassett was a thoroughbred industry legend, WWII Marine Corps veteran, Kentucky State Police director and Yale graduate. He also served as Keeneland’s president and chairman of the board, as well as president of the Breeders’ Cup Ltd. The Keeneland Foundation has established an endowed scholarship at Transylvania in his name.
The native Kentuckian, who joined the Transylvania Board of Trustees in 1970, contributed the initial leadership gift for the construction of Bassett Hall, which opened in 2017. It was part of a major residence hall construction initiative helping integrate the social and academic environments for students.
Bassett received the Transylvania Medal in 1985 as well as numerous other honors over the years, including the Eclipse Award of Merit and Lord Derby, Semper Fidelis, John W. Galbreath and Congressional Medal of Honor Society Distinguished Citizen awards.
He is also a member of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame and received honorary doctorates from Transylvania, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.
“We are grateful for Mr. Bassett’s support of Transylvania and our local community,” President Brien Lewis said. “His generosity has made a positive impact on the lives of our Pioneers while helping transform the residential side of campus. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Top photo: KET, Steve Shaffer