Johnson county, Ky.–Paintsville High School basketball standout and former Kentucky All SEC defensive end Joey Couch passed away Friday December 15th at the age of 49, reportedly from an acute cardiac event. EKB’s Shawn Allen attended today’s visitation and brings us this report.
Hundreds gathered in Paintsville High School gymnasium this evening to remember Joey Couch. Although Joey Couch is remembered by many through his achievements in sports at Paintsville High School and the University of Kentucky he is also remembered by his larger than life personality, his huge heart and big smile.
“When we were on going away games in basketball, he didn’t have a way to get back home and get back to catch the bus so I’d take him home with me and every time that would happen, I would immediately call my wife and say Jamie go to the store because Joey could certainly eat. Joey was a great person and will always be remembered that way. He had a smile that would just knock you over and he smiled all the time. I don’t know that you could fill this guy’s shoes. I’ll be honest with you he was just larger than life at Paintsville High School.”
Not only did Joey Couch have a big smile he also had the ability to put a smile on the face of everyone he met.
“When you mention his name there was a smile that was associated with that. You could be madder than fire at him for doing something, but I gotta tell you in a few minutes later you had your arms around him and loving him again. Of course as a brother I was very close to him, we did a lot of things together. It’s tough to let him go at this part in my life, but I’m pleased to see people here that are remembering him and celebrating him as we remember him.”
Funeral services will be held at the gymnasium Tuesday at 1pm.
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