Gross Clay Lindsay

Former Kentucky House judiciary chairman remembered as 'legal oracle' By Jack Brammer of the Lexington Herald-Leader

FRANKFORT — Former House Judiciary Chairman Gross Clay Lindsay, a Henderson Democrat who was a key figure in modernizing the state’s court system and changing criminal laws, died early Wednesday morning at his home of natural causes, Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer said. He was 77.

“Gross had a history of heart problems,” Farmer said. “But I always knew him to be a most vibrant man who did a lot for this community and state. The Commonwealth has lost a great leader.”

Lindsay, who left the legislature in 2006 after losing a bid for re-election, was known for his keen intellect and love of the law. He was a longtime attorney in Henderson.

House Judiciary Chair Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, said Lindsay was “the finest legislator I’ve ever met, and I have served with many fine legislators.

“He was a legal oracle. He was a well-balanced person. He had humor. And when he was serious, you knew he was serious.”

“Even if it weren’t popular, he always was interested in doing what was right. He taught me a lot about the legislative process. He was a mentor even though we were opposite parties.”

Lindsay entered the General Assembly in 1970 from the state’s 11th House District.

In 1972, he was appointed to the Kentucky Penal Code Study Commission and was the primary sponsor of legislation passed into law that updated the state’s criminal laws.

He also was active in an effort that allowed voters in 1975 to approve a constitutional amendment modernizing the state’s court system.

Lindsay also worked to improve the state’s justice system as a member of the Kentucky Crime Commission’s Executive Committee.

Lindsay gave up his seat in the House of Representatives in 1980. Though he decided to take a break from serving as a lawmaker, he remained close to the legislature throughout much of the 1980s. In 1982, he accepted a position as general counsel for the House majority floor leader. He also served as the Legislative Research Commission’s legal counsel. and presented LRC’s case to the Supreme Court in the landmark LRC v. Brown case. That case resulted in a 1984 ruling from the court on the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. Part of the ruling in that case determined that legislative staffing through the LRC was in fact constitutional.

Lindsay returned as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993. In 1998, he was recognized as one of the top ten most effective House members in a survey conducted by the Kentucky Center for Public Issues.

He was appointed chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in 1999, holding tight reins on legislation dealing with the law.

“Gross was a good, fair legislator,” said Senate Judiciary Chairman Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. “Most people — Democrat or Republican — would say he was looking to do what was right.”

He was considered the House’s unofficial parliamentarian, often the one leaders turned to in interpreting the chamber’s governing rules.Bobby Sherman, head of the Legislative Research Commission, noted that in the late 1970s, there was a Gross Lindsay Fan Club, with real membership cards for legislative staffers.

The membership card included a handsome photo of Lindsay, said Sherman, along with the motto ...”It’s Great to be Gross.

Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home at 604 Center Street in Henderson is handling arrangements.