LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Julian Carroll, the former Kentucky governor and state representative, died Sunday at 92 years old.
Carroll's family confirmed that he died around 5 a.m. at Frankfort Regional Medical Center.
"As a family, it is with the heaviest of hearts that we grieve the loss of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His steadfast faith and positive outlook on life, his untenable and constant love for his family, and his giving heart and warm embrace will forever be missed," Carroll's family said.
He will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15 according to his obituary. A memorial will be that same day from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Carroll dedicated almost two-thirds of his life to serving the people of the Commonwealth whom he "loved with all his heart," according to the family's statement.
Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post that Carroll “dedicated his career to public service. For decades he worked to support public education and those he represented in Frankfort."
Carroll's family said that his journey of public service started with the United States Air Force shortly after graduating from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1956. From there, he served for 3 years as an Air Force attorney and then returned to his hometown of Paducah to practice law.
Carroll served five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives, including Speaker of the House from 1968-1970. He was then was elected Lieutenant Governor and eventually succeeded Gov. Wendell Ford, who left for the U.S. Senate before his term as governor ended. In 1975, Carroll won a full term as governor with a record margin of victory.
After he was governor, he received several honorary degrees, and the Purchase Parkway was renamed the Julian M. Carroll Parkway.
Carroll finished his public service in the Kentucky Senate, where he served from 2004 to 2020.
He and his late wife, Charlynn, leave behind four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren whom he "enjoyed spoiling."
"Something about his gentle blue eyes and big smile will leave an everlasting imprint on our hearts," Carroll's family said. "We will love and miss him always."
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