State Sen. C.B. Embry, R-Morgantown, has died after a battle with cancer.
Embry resigned from the upper chamber on Monday. With the aide of his wife, Embry was able to cast some votes during the legislative session as he battled cancer.
Over the last 50 years, Embry has been elected 12 times to five different public offices, including a mayor in 1973, a county judge/executive in 1982, to the House of Representatives in 2002, and finally elected to his first term in the Senate in 2014.
“C.B. Embry was a true gentleman and the consummate public servant, taking the duty and responsibility to represent the people until the very end,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “A dedicated family man, successful business owner, and inspirational man of faith, C.B.’s values served as a bedrock in the state Senate and his contributions to our Commonwealth stand out on their own. He was a passionate advocate for public education and veterans issues, and raised the bar on everything he touched. The Commonwealth is a better place because of C.B. Embry. We will forever hold you in our hearts, and offer our thoughts and prayers to Wanda and your entire family.
Other prominent Kentucky officials also remarked on Embry’s death.
“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of former State Senator and State Representative C.B. Embry,” wrote Auditor Mike Harmon. “C.B. made a lifelong commitment to being a servant leader, driven by his faith, his family, and his love of our great Commonwealth.
“I had the pleasure of serving with C.B. in the Kentucky House of Representatives, and I always considered him a wonderful friend, and like me, a person rooted in doing what’s right for Kentucky and its people,” Harmon continued. “My prayers go out to Wanda and his entire family.”
