James Ronald "Red" Cissell

James Ronald “Red” Cissell, 77, of Bardstown, passed away Friday September 15, 2017 at VA Medical Center in Louisville.  He was born December 20, 1939 in Bardstown, graduated from St. Joe Prep in 1958, and after graduation worked for the Bardstown Post Office for 2 years.  He joined the United States Navy in 1963, serving on the U.S.S. Enterprise, off the coast of Japan and South America, during the Vietnam Conflict.  He retired from the old Bird and Son Vinyl in the year 2000, a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, and an avid Cincinnati Reds and Kentucky Wildcats fan.  He started listening to the Wildcats on the radio, while in grade school and never stopped.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fea and Minnie Hicks Smith Cissell; four sisters, Bronia Mattingly, Lillian Bickett, Juanita Hagan, and Rita Delaney; and four brothers, Clyde Smith, Lyman Smith, Father Harold Smith, and Chuck Cissell.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Bonnie Thompson Cissell; step-daughter, Dana (Jim) Downs; step-son, Gerald Dewayne Yates all of Bardstown; eight grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; six sisters, Louise Simpson of Cox’s Creek, Lunette Newton of Louisville, Theresa Ayers of Miami, Florida, Margie Collinsworth of Ohio, Joan Ball of Louisville, and Sister Marie Smith of Nazareth; three brothers, his twin, Donald (Norma) Cissell, John (Judy) Cissell both of Bardstown, and Bobby (Bonnie) Smith of Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

His Funeral Mass will be 10:00 am Wednesday September 20, 2017 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, with burial in St. Thomas Cemetery.  Rev. Jason Harris will officiate.  Visitation will be 3 to 8 pm Tuesday September 19 and 8 to 9:15 am Wednesday September 20 at Barlow Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may go to St. Thomas Catholic Church.

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