(The Center Square) – Flags at Kentucky state offices will fly at half-staff for the time being in honor of former Governor Brereton Jones, who died Monday at age 84.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday that flags would fly that way until Jones’ funeral. The date of this and other arrangements has not yet been released, but Jones will lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfurt.
” Governor. Jones was a dedicated leader and distinguished thoroughbred owner who worked to strengthen Kentucky for our families,” Beshear said. “Please join Britainy and I in praying for Libby and her family.”
Jones, a Democrat, served as governor from 1991 to 1995, succeeding Wallace Wilkerson, for whom he served as lieutenant governor. He was the last governor who was unable to run for successive terms.
Legislative leaders from both parties and state officials also offered their condolences.
“One of the greatest traits of his character was that he simply didn’t care who got the credit as long as the goal was met,” said House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, in a press release. “As governor, as well as in the three decades since he left office, he has found a way to balance progress with knowing what needs to be preserved.”
House Democrats remembered Jones as a champion of improving Kentuckians’ access to health care and supporting ethics reforms stemming from the Operation BOPTROT scandal more than 30 years ago .
“He was a strong supporter of our horse industry and our state parks,” said House Democratic Caucus leaders Derrick Graham, Cherlynn Stevenson and Rachel Roberts. “And he helped pave the way for future constitutional officials to serve two consecutive terms.” There is no doubt that Kentuckians are much better off because of Governor Jones’ public service.
Jones is the second former Kentucky governor to die in less than a year. Former Governor John Y. Brown died last November.
A native of Ohio, Jones served in the West Virginia House of Delegates as a Republican. He moved to Kentucky and changed parties after Watergate. The Joneses moved to Libby’s home in Woodford County and he became a thoroughbred breeder.
As a horse owner, he won 455 races, including the Kentucky Oaks three times. The last one arrived in 2015.
“He understood the importance of the horse industry to Kentucky and used his one term as governor to implement reward programs for breeders and stallions, creating off-the-track betting facilities to help them fund,” said Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.
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