Former Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 92.
The prominent Democrat was elected Lieutenant Governor, which was elected separate from the governor at the time, in in 1971 before he succeeded Gov. Wendell Ford in 1974 after Ford left the post for the U.S. Senate. Carroll then ran and won a full term as Governor in 1975, serving until 1979.
Julian Carroll served five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives representing his home area in western Kentucky. He was first elected to the body in 1962 and served as Speaker of the House from 1968 to 1970. Most recently, the former governor served in the Kentucky state Senate from 2004 to 2020 representing a district covering parts of Frankfort as well as portions of Anderson, Woodford, and Fayette Counties. Carroll announced shortly after his 88th birthday that he would not run for re-election in 2020.
Outside of politics, Carroll was an attorney who began practicing in his hometown of Paducah after serving in the Air Force.
“Governor Carroll was a passionate public servant who dedicated much of his life to moving the Commonwealth and its people forward,” said Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber. “We appreciate his commitment and service and join in offering our prayers and condolences to his family.”
Carroll will lie in state in the Kentucky Capitol Rotunda on Friday December 15, 2023 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and from 1:30-5 p.m. A memorial service will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the rotunda.
Funeral services will be held at Elevate Church in Frankfort on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
Really enjoyed your piece on Governor Carroll. I worked with him for eight years and enjoyed every minute of it. We hit every county while he was campaigning and again while he was governor. I am partial