George Leslie Logan, 93, died Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Lexington VA Hospital with his wife and family by his side.

George was born February 27, 1929, in Stanford, Kentucky, to Mary and James Logan. In 1951, George
graduated from Kentucky State College. George enrolled in graduate school in 1951 at the University of Kentucky
where he earned a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in history and government. George, along with
Dr. Lyman F. Johnson, were two of only three African American students on the University of Kentucky campus at that
time. Shortly after graduation, George enlisted in the Air Force in 1953. George served in the Philippines and Saigon
until being honorably discharged in 1961. After leaving the Air Force, George became an educator of history and
driver’s education safety teaching at Dunbar and Henry Clay High schools.

At an early age, George was a member of First Baptist Church in Stanford. Later he moved his membership by
letter to Main Street Baptist Church in Lexington under the pastorate of Pastor Victor G. Sholar.

George married Betty Lee Cloyd on November 1, 1958. Betty and George were each other’s lifelong companion
and friend. To everyone else mentors, guardian angels, helpers, trusted friends, hand holders, and the voice of reason.
Betty and George were blessed with five children: Anthony, Teresa, Valerie, Judy, and Adrienne.

After teaching history and driver’s education at Dunbar and Henry Clay High School, in 1969 George
was appointed Kentucky’s Director of Driver’s Education supervisors. George became the first African American
professional hired by the Kentucky Department of Education. George began working with co-workers to design a
statewide driver’s education program that eventually rolled out to all of the Kentucky High Schools to teach young
teens how to drive. He remained in this position for the next 20 years. During this time, he also served as the
director of social studies in the Division of Curriculum and Staff Development, where he fought to include more black
history in Kentucky elementary and high school textbooks. George went on to be the first of many: first African
American to hold a national office in the American Academy of Safety Education, the first black president (1984-1985)
of the American Academy of Safety Education, one of the first to be named to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State
Commission in 1989 where he served for 11 years. George was recognized for assisting in securing Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Day as a state holiday.

George is survived by his wife Betty Logan and five children Anthony Logan, Teresa Jones, Valerie Logan, Judy
Spivey, and Adrienne Logan; four grandchildren, Brian Tindall, Jaimie Tindall, Reginald Brown Jr., and Lauren Spivey;
one great grandchild, Logan Tindall; two siblings, Gloria Thomas and Polly Hocker; and a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.

George was preceded in death by his siblings James Logan Jr., Ophelia Wilkinson, Mary Rice, John Logan, and
Freddie Logan.
 

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of George L Logan hosted by Evergreen Memory Gardens.