Lexington, KY - On a cool and bright spring morning Judith Arden Bocard Thomas drew up one final slam dunk play, hung up her coaching whistle, and headed home completing an incredible life journey filled with family, faith, and love of all things sports.

Judy was a wonderful and caring mom to Steve (Lois) Thomas, Bobbi (Jimmy) Moore, Mindy (Bill) Hutchinson, and Kelli (Melvin) Conley. She was really at the top of her game when it came to being a mamaw to Shane (Casey) Thomas, Aaron (Brandi) Thomas, Hope Clark, Gypsie Hutchinson, and Bailey Conley and Timmy Selvage, Kate Selvage and Kailey Teagan and to her special great grandchildren as well, Emmitt, Waylon, Laiken, Lorelai, A.J., Cassandra, Alyssa her sister Mary Humphrey and a host of nieces and nephews that absolutely adored her.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Kendall Edward and Ruth Bocard, brothers Warren "Bo" Bocard, Kendall Bocard, sister Norma Thompson and a granddaughter Courtney Margaret Thomas.

Judy traveled the state and the country to watch countless softball tournaments and golf matches featuring her grandkids. Sleepovers, pool parties, the annual Myrtle Beach trip with the grandkids and the Christmas cookie bake were events not to be missed. Judy was the go to for homemade potato salad always served in white bowl decorated with big red dots. It should be noted that she was one of the World's best swimming teachers.

Judy was raised in a home high on a hill overlooking 29th Street and was a very proud member of the legendary (if only in their own minds) Bocard Five, consisting of brothers Bo and Ken and sisters Norma and Molly. Unapologetically clannish, loud, and fiercely devoted. They leave a legacy of love and caring for the entire multi-generational Bocard crew to grow on. "The Five" had many wonderful traveling adventures to the Bocard compound on Lake Cumberland, Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and New England. The most storied trip was the month-long fall trip to Myrtle Beach. These legendary trips were filled with lots of monkey business and crazy fun shenanigans.

She was a lifetime member of Centenary United Methodist Church and served on numerous church committees and completed several mission trips abroad. Judy was a very faithful member of the church choir. Although not blessed with the voice of a soloist, no one sang with greater joy and heart.

Sports and athletics were her passion-as an athlete, as a coach, and as a fan. She was a lifelong athlete exhibiting an incredible work ethic and a fierce personal competitive spirit integrated with the tenants of true sportsmanship. Judy competed in soapbox derby racing as a young girl breaking gender barriers and continued competing well into her seventies via the Senior Olympics program earning numerous medals at the state and national levels breaking down age barriers. She taught and coached for over twenty years in her much beloved Fairview School district. She was one of many brave and courageous female coaches in the 70's, and 80's who fought hard for equality in sports programs. These pioneers paved the way for the Title 9 amenities guaranteed to today's student athletes.

As a loyal and devoted UK fan, Judy enjoyed traveling with her daughters and niece Tiffany, to numerous venues to cheer on the Cats at SEC Tournaments and bowl games. It is important to note that information about these trips was always hard to to come by and vague in nature.

Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Saturday, June 6, 2026 at the STEEN FUNERAL HOME 13TH ST. CHAPEL by Pastor John Carwell. Burial will follow at the Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Flatwoods. Visitation will be prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home beginning at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Judy's honor to your local Hospice Organization or to CornerStone Methodist Church, 2203 29th St., Ashland, KY 41101.

To share a condolence with her family, please visit www.steenfuneralhome.com.