Herron remembered fondly for his love of God, family, and Tennessee

by Josh Lemons
Press Editor

Roy Herron, right, the Democratic nominee for the 8th Congressional District, stands with some of his interns before speaking at the Old Country Store in Jackson where he kicked off his fall campaign on Monday, August 9, 2010. (AP/The Jackson Sun, Katie Brake)

Roy Herron, the Dresden native, UT Martin alumni and long-time Tennessee lawmaker who died Sunday from complications following a jet-ski accident on July 1 at Kentucky Lake, was described by friends and colleagues on Monday as a kind man that loved God, friends, family, his hometown and all of Northwest Tennessee.

Herron died at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, according to a statement from his family.

Colin Johnson, District Attorney General for the 27th Judicial District, said that not only was Herron a colleague in Dresden, he was also a friend. Johnson said he and his family are devastated by the news of Herron’s passing Sunday night.

“He was a good friend,” Johnson said. “We were sad to hear of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. “Roy and Nancy were long-time friends of ours.”

Herron was a proud UT Martin alumni. Interim chancellor Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier said although Herron is gone, his impact on UT Martin and Northwest Tennessee will live on for a long time.

“Roy Herron’s long service in the Tennessee General Assembly and to the people of Tennessee will anchor his incredible legacy,” Cavalier said. “We grieve with his family and many friends while we remember someone who made a difference in the lives of many.”

City of Martin Mayor Randy Brundige said he has known Herron and their family for a long time and that he will be missed both in Tennessee government and moreover in the Weakley County community.

“I’ve known Roy for years. He has always been a gentleman to [the] people,” Brundige said. “I was really sorry to hear of his passing.”

Dresden Mayor Mark Maddox echoed that same sentiment as so many in Weakley County have been since the announcement of Herron’s passing Sunday afternoon.

“Dresden has lost a part of its history with the passing of State Senator Roy Herron,” Maddox said. “Roy was always concerned about people, especially the people in his hometown. “We have lost a great asset and I have lost a true friend.”

Dr. Robert Nanney, former editor for the Weakley County Press and current professor and chairman of the Department of Mass Media and Strategic Communications at UT Martin, said that he and Herron are actually distant cousins.

“Like so many across this region, today I deeply mourn the passing of my longtime friend and cousin. We had known each other since Dresden Elementary School, and that relationship grew through the years as I covered his incredible record of service as a politician, Methodist minister and lawyer,” Nanny said. “I actually did a story when he was state representative on those three roles in his life and asked him how he found the time and energy to do all three. His response was that all three complemented and refreshed the other roles, and all were important, collectively second only his role as father and husband.

“That was the essence of Roy, who always saw life through a prism of service and untiring dedication to causes that made a difference to everyone in all walks of life.”

As the news of Herron’s passing broke Sunday afternoon, many took to social media to share their thoughts and condolences.

On Twitter, former Vice President Al Gore called his fellow Tennessee Democrat “a dear friend and one of Tennessee’s most devoted citizens.” Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen called Herron “bright, diligent, and honest. A politician destined for greatness.” Republican Rep. David Kustoff said Herron ”dedicated his life to serving West Tennessee, and the entire Volunteer State.”

Tennessee House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison said on Twitter he was “the kind of guy that you couldn’t help but like.”

Joe Hill, a longtime Tennessee Democratic political operative who worked with Herron on multiple campaigns, said he “brought a zeal for making health care more accessible to disadvantaged Tennesseans” when he was elected to the state House. Hill said he also brought that commitment to “education, victims’ rights, environmental quality and so many other things that affect average people.”

“His legacy of advocating for ‘the least among us’ will represent the gold standard of service for Democrats and Republicans in Tennessee’s future,” Hill told The Associated Press on Sunday.

“Roy loved his family with all his might,” Herron’s wife, Rev. Nancy Carol Miller-Herron, said. “He passed doing what he loved most — spending time with our sons and their friends in the Tennessee outdoors where his spirit was always most free.”

After a tornado devastated his hometown of Dresden just before Christmas in 2021, Herron marshaled a fundraising effort, amassing more than $100,000 to aid recovery efforts.

“It’s an overused term — that he was a dedicated public servant — but that really was Roy,” Tanner said. “He worked tirelessly for causes that he took up, and he had a good heart.”

Weakley County Mayor Jake Bynum said Herron exemplifies the qualities of the communities he served.

More than a public servant, Roy was thoughtful, kind, and dedicated,” Bynum said. “Off all the titles he held in his professional career, the one I value most is friend.”

Meg Kinnard from the Associated Press contributed to this report.