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Roy Herron, a longtime Tennessee state legislator and former chairman of the State Democratic Celebration, died on Sunday from accidents sustained in a jet ski accident. He turned 69.
Herron died at Vanderbilt Medical Middle in Nashville, in response to an announcement from his household. He had been hospitalized since a July 1 collision with one other jet ski on Kentucky Lake, wherein he suffered inside bleeding and intensive accidents to his arm and pelvis, in response to his household’s Caring Bridge web site.
The Tennessee Wildlife Sources Company investigated the collision, particulars of which weren’t instantly obtainable.
“Roy beloved his household with all his may,” mentioned Herron’s spouse, Reverend Nancy Carol Miller-Herron. “He managed to do what he beloved most: spending time with our sons and their mates within the nice open air in Tennessee, the place his thoughts was all the time freest.”
Herron, a lawyer from Dresden, Tennessee, served a complete of 26 years within the state home and senate, the place he grew to become social gathering chief and caucus chairman for the Democrats. In line with his web site, he by no means missed a session day, besides when his youngest son was born. He served as chairman of the State Democratic Celebration from 2013 to 2015.
A graduate of the College of Tennessee at Martin, Herron was additionally one of many first college students to earn joint divinity and legislation levels from Vanderbilt College. Herron, an ordained Methodist minister, additionally wrote three books, together with one titled, “God and Politics: How Can a Christian Be in Politics?”
Funeral providers have been scheduled for Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Martin.
Condolences poured in on Sunday. On Twitter, former Vice President Al Gore known as his fellow Tennessee Democrat “a pricey good friend and one among Tennessee’s most devoted residents.” Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen known as Herron “sensible, diligent and truthful. A politician destined for greatness.” Republican Consultant David Kustoff mentioned Herron “devoted his life to serving West Tennessee and all the Volunteer State.”
Jeremy Faison, chairman of the Tennessee Home Republican Caucus, mentioned on Twitter that he was “the type of man you could not assist however like.”
Joe Hill, a former Tennessee Democratic political operative who labored with Herron on a number of campaigns, mentioned he had “a zeal for making well being care extra accessible to underprivileged Tennesseans” when he was elected to the state Home. Hill mentioned he had that very same dedication to “schooling, victims’ rights, the standard of the atmosphere and so many different issues that have an effect on common individuals.”
“His legacy of advocating for ‘the least of us’ would be the gold commonplace of service for Democrats and Republicans in Tennessee’s future,” Hill instructed The Related Press on Sunday.
That nature was additionally true of Herron’s friendships, Hill mentioned. He recalled how Herron drove 140 miles to be with him and his household in Memphis after one among Hill’s youngsters was concerned in a automobile accident.
“We left residence in such a rush and did not have further garments with us,” Hill mentioned. “My spouse, Susan, was freezing within the chilly hospital ready room and Roy gave her his shirt so she might heat up. That is the type of actual individual he was.”
In 2010, after a short run for governor, Herron grew to become the Democratic nominee in Tennessee’s eighth congressional district when then-Rep. John Tanner introduced his retirement after greater than 20 years in workplace. Herron finally misplaced the final election to Republican Stephen Fincher.
“I hoped once I retired that he would win the seat,” Tanner instructed the AP on Sunday.
After a twister devastated his hometown of Dresden simply earlier than Christmas in 2021, Herron organized a fundraiser and raised greater than $100,000 to assist restoration efforts.
“It is a widespread time period — that he was a devoted civil servant — however that was actually Roy,” Tanner mentioned. “He labored tirelessly for causes he took on, and he had coronary heart.”
Former Tennessee legislator Roy Herron dies after a jet ski accident
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