Former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown dies at 88

John Y. Brown Jr., the previous Democratic governor of Kentucky, has died at age 88.

Brown will maybe be remembered greatest as a restaurant magnate who constructed Kentucky Fried Hen into a world fast-food juggernaut, however it was his flip as governor that cemented Brown as an esteemed Kentucky statesman.

“Our Dad, John Y. Brown Jr., not solely dreamed the unattainable dream, he lived it till the very finish. His constructive perspective and zest for all times was unmatched and allowed him to beat the percentages many occasions over,” Pamela Brown, CNN’s anchor and senior Washington correspondent, stated in a press release.

“Day-after-day was an thrilling journey for him. He was a real Kentucky unique who beamed with delight for his house state and its folks. He had many outstanding accomplishments, however most of all he cherished his household with all of his coronary heart, and we in flip cherished him with all of our hearts. We’re heartbroken by his passing, however discover consolation in what he wrote in certainly one of his ultimate days, ‘I’ve by no means been so comfortable.’”

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1933, Brown paid his manner via faculty and regulation faculty on the College of Kentucky as certainly one of Encyclopedia Britannica’s high salesmen.

Following service within the US Military Reserve, he co-purchased Kentucky Fried Hen from Harland Sanders in 1964. Brown would remodel KFC right into a family title, with the chain briefly turning into the biggest fast-food service on the earth.

After promoting the restaurant in 1971, Brown turned financially concerned in a number of skilled sports activities groups earlier than turning to politics.

Brown would go on to leverage his title recognition within the state right into a profitable bid for governor, main Kentucky from 1979 to 1983. His marketing campaign slogan, “Working authorities like a enterprise,” leaned on his company credentials and media-friendly presence.

Throughout his tenure, based on the Nationwide Governors Affiliation, Brown introduced “document commerce” to Kentucky and diminished the state price range by greater than 20%. His administration noticed a extra numerous cupboard than earlier administrations, and the institution of applications nonetheless in use right this moment.

In 2009, Harvard Enterprise Faculty honored Brown as one of many high American enterprise leaders within the twentieth century, together with Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, Walt Disney, and Invoice Gates.

Information of his passing prompted an instantaneous outpouring of messages from political figures out and in of Kentucky.

Gov. Andy Beshear hailed Brown as “a exceptional chief who was dedicated to serving the folks of Kentucky.”

“He made our commonwealth a greater place. Britainy and I are praying for his household and family members,” Beshear, a Democrat, stated in a tweet.

Senate GOP Chief Mitch McConnell equally praised Brown for making use of his “non-public sector prowess to authorities.”

“Our prayers are with Governor Brown’s 4 youngsters and all others who knew and cherished this legendary businessman and statesman,” he stated.

Brown is survived by his sons, Lincoln and John Brown III, his daughters, Pamela Brown Wright, Sandy Steier and Sissy Brown, and his grandchildren, Vivienne and Benny Wright, Eleanor, Grace, Brooks and Colson Steier, Maggie Brown, John Brown IV, Will and Meg Talley, Lindo Mfeka and Will Alondamwani.

Visitation will happen Tuesday, November 29, on the Kentucky Capitol rotunda the place Brown will lie in state. His service might be 3 p.m. on the state Capitol constructing the next day.

This story has been up to date with further data.