— Misti Drew/Tribune-Courier ||Rain filled skies didn't stop people from turning out in numbers for the hospital's dedication of the Lathram Helipad.

Lathram's Legacy Lives On

‘The greatest
story teller ever,
lived the greatest
story ever told’

By Misti Drew
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mdrew@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – It’s been four and a half years since veteran Kentucky State Police Officer, National Guardsman and helicopter pilot Scott Lathram lost his life in a tragic plane crash near Bull Mountain in Virginia.

But his legacy has lived on it the hearts and minds of many locals.

It was October 26, 2004 when Lathram set out with nine other passengers aboard Hendrick’s Beechcraft 200 Super King.

They were enroute to the Subway 500 Nextel Cup Series race at Martinsville, Virginia where he was to present driver Tony Stewart with a “Patriot Award,” which honors employers for outstanding support of military employees.

Lathram wasn’t in the cockpit this time.

The news of the crash, which claimed the lives of all ten aboard the plane, including the president of Hendrick Motorsports John Hendrick and former NASCAR Busch Series driver Ricky Hendrick, rocked race fans across the nation.

Those reverberations were felt around the world, and especially here in Marshall County.

Lathram was well known and loved by many. He was described as a “legend, mentor, best friend” and “the greatest story teller of them all, who lived the greatest story ever told.”

In an effort to ensure Lathram’s beloved memory does not fade away, family members decided last year to make a contribution they say they felt would help Lathram’s legacy to continue to live on.

Through that contribution, Lathram is now the namesake for the new Marshall County Hospital’s helipad.

And on Sunday, nearly a hundred well-wishers turned out under rainy skies for the dedication ceremony. Friends, family and colleagues took turns speaking of Lathram, sharing their fond memories with the crowd.

Of how the idea for the contribution came about, Lathram’s sister Ginger Boatwright said, “Tracy and I thought of it when the new hospital was being built. We knew they were going to have a helipad and thought it would be a very fitting way to memorialize Scott.”

Boatwright said the two met with hospital officials who were very receptive to the idea.

And now, three months after construction on the hospital was completed, the helipad has been dedicated in Lathram’s honor.

“We are really excited about this,” Boatwright said. “It will be bittersweet, but a this point, there will be more good to it than bad.”

Hospital CEO Kathy Long said, “On behalf of Marshall County Hospital, I thank the Lathram family for their generous donation made in memory of their loved one, Scott.

“He was a valued member of our community who loved to fly, with much of his life centered on helping others. The helipad being dedicated in his memory is such a fitting tribute.”