What happened to Roy Herron? Tributes pour in as former Tennessee Senator dies aged 69

Roy Herron, a former Tennessee senator and chairperson of the state Democratic Party, reportedly passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023. This comes after he had been grievously injured in a jet ski accident on the Kentucky lake earlier this month. Per multiple reports, the 69-year-old former state senator who had been hospitalized at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville after sustaining injuries in the jet ski accident on July 1, 2023, succumbed to his injuries.TML1.org@TML4CitiesOur deepest condolences to the family of former Sen. Roy Herron. He was a tireless public servant and friend. He will be greatly missed.204Our deepest condolences to the family of former Sen. Roy Herron. He was a tireless public servant and friend. He will be greatly missed. https://t.co/QZC4gQM626According to a statement by a family member, Roy Herron was reportedly riding his jet ski on Kentucky Lake when he collided with another rider and suffered internal bleeding and extensive injuries to his arm and pelvis.Authorities are reportedly investigating the circumstances surrounding the deadly accident.Tennessee leaders express condolence to Roy Herron's family in wake of his passingSen. Marsha Blackburn@MarshaBlackburnSaddened to hear of the passing of my former Tennessee State Senate colleague, Roy Herron. May his friends and family find peace and healing during this difficult time.25731Saddened to hear of the passing of my former Tennessee State Senate colleague, Roy Herron. May his friends and family find peace and healing during this difficult time.In a statement released on the family’s CaringBridge website, Roy Herron’s wife Rev. Nancy Carol Miller-Herron bemoaned the loss of her spouse who died doing what he loved most in the world. She said:“Roy loved his family with all his might. He passed doing what he loved most — spending time with our sons and their friends in Tennessee outdoors where his spirit was always most free.”As news of the former senator’s passing spread on Sunday, several Tennessee Democrats took to social media to extend their condolences to the grieving family.Van Turner@VanForMemphisI want to extend my condolences to the family of former Tennessee Democratic State Party Chair and former State Senator Roy Herron who just passed. In this pic, we are going door to door in one of his campaigns years ago. Senator Herron was truly a statesman and public servant… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…12226I want to extend my condolences to the family of former Tennessee Democratic State Party Chair and former State Senator Roy Herron who just passed. In this pic, we are going door to door in one of his campaigns years ago. Senator Herron was truly a statesman and public servant… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/gCKRzFQ1vaOn Twitter, former Vice President Al Gore called Herron “a dear friend and one of Tennessee’s most devoted citizens.”Al Gore@algoreRoy Herron was a dear friend and one of Tennessee’s most devoted citizens. His untimely passing is a tragedy. Roy was a steadfast advocate for the working people of TN and always stood up for our most vulnerable. My heart goes out to his beloved family Nancy, John, Rick &amp; Ben.28040Roy Herron was a dear friend and one of Tennessee’s most devoted citizens. His untimely passing is a tragedy. Roy was a steadfast advocate for the working people of TN and always stood up for our most vulnerable. My heart goes out to his beloved family Nancy, John, Rick &amp; Ben.Senator Bob Corker@SenBobCorkerI am saddened by the passing of Roy Herron, a dedicated husband, father, and public servant. In the mid nineties, we ran many miles together always intensely discussing our points of view on policies relating to Tennesseans, our families, and our beliefs. (1/2)441I am saddened by the passing of Roy Herron, a dedicated husband, father, and public servant. In the mid nineties, we ran many miles together always intensely discussing our points of view on policies relating to Tennesseans, our families, and our beliefs. (1/2)Tennessee Democratic political operative Joe Hill who worked with Herron on multiple campaigns described the late senator as a committed public servant who was devoted to his constituents. In a statement to the Associated Press, Hill said:“His legacy of advocating for ‘the least among us’ will represent the gold standard of service for Democrats and Republicans in Tennessee’s future.”Steve Cohen@RepCohenSaddened by the death of former colleague in Tennessee General Assembly, Roy Herron.Roy succumbed to injuries from jet ski accident last weekend apparently caused by negligence of another.He was bright,diligent, and honest. A politician destined for greatness but Tn. changed.19328Saddened by the death of former colleague in Tennessee General Assembly, Roy Herron.Roy succumbed to injuries from jet ski accident last weekend apparently caused by negligence of another.He was bright,diligent, and honest. A politician destined for greatness but Tn. changed.Hill, who described the former Tennessee senator as a great friend, recalled an incident when Herron drove 140 miles to be with him and his family in Memphis after one of the political operative’s children was involved in a car crash.“We left home in such a hurry and didn’t bring extra clothes, My wife, Susan, was freezing in the cold hospital waiting room, and Roy gave her his shirt so she could be warm. That’s the kind of genuine human being he was.”Roy Herron served the state’s House and Senate for 26 yearsA graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Roy Herron worked as an attorney from Dresden before serving a combined 26 years in the state’s House and Senate.UT Martin@utmartinRoy Herron's long service in the Tennessee General Assembly and to the people of Tennessee will anchor his incredible legacy. We grieve with his family and many friends while we remember someone who made a difference in the lives of many.299Roy Herron's long service in the Tennessee General Assembly and to the people of Tennessee will anchor his incredible legacy. We grieve with his family and many friends while we remember someone who made a difference in the lives of many. https://t.co/y7fHB7HpDBAccording to his website, during his tenure as a state senator, Herron, who chaired the state Democratic Party from 2013 to 2015 became floor leader where he never missed a day of session, except for when his youngest son was born. Herron, an ordained Methodist minister, also authored three books, including one titled, God and Politics: How Can a Christian Be in Politics?Per AP, Roy Herron’s funeral service has been planned for Saturday, July 15, at First United Methodist Church in Martin.

No Results Found