Governor Julian M. Carroll

Frankfort – Julian Morton Carroll, age 92, passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023. Services will be held at Elevate Church in Frankfort on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bobby Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Frankfort Cemetery. Military Honors will be observed at the gravesite by the Kentucky National Guard.
Honoring his service, Mr. Carroll will lie in state at the Kentucky Capitol Rotunda from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2023. A memorial service will take place from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Capitol Rotunda.
The third of eleven children, Mr. Carroll was born in West Paducah, Kentucky on April 16, 1931, to the late Elvie Buster and Eva Heady Carroll. He spent a lifetime in service to the great people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, whom he loved with all his heart.
Mr. Carroll's journey of public service began with the United States Air Force shortly after graduating from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1956. For three years, he served as an Air Force attorney, then returned to Paducah to practice law. Mr. Carroll was active in civic affairs, including membership in the Jaycees and charter president of the Paducah Optimist Club.
In January 1960, he led a public referendum campaign to allow the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide electricity to McCracken County. The referendum, which would lead to lower electric costs, passed by a three-to-one margin, a success that set the stage for more than three decades in elected office.
Mr. Carroll served five terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives, including Speaker of the House from 1968-1970. He was then elected Lieutenant Governor and eventually succeeded Governor Wendell Ford, who left for the U.S. Senate before his term as governor ended. In 1975, Mr. Carroll won a full term as governor with a record margin of victory. His legacy of Kentucky governor has had a long-lasting impact across judicial, educational, recreational, and safety areas.
He implemented a modernization of the state's judicial system that was called a model for the nation. He also championed legislation to eliminate the private bail-bond system. Public schools were transformed when he invested heavily in teacher salaries, eliminated fees for required classes, and provided free textbooks. He also established a School Building Authority to help poor school districts build new schools. In addition, vocational and special education were expanded while a pilot program for gifted and talented students was initiated.
Mr. Carroll also had a big impact on the state park system, which was expanded under his leadership. His opposition to damming the Red River saved Red River Gorge. Stricter safety enforcement was also put in place following the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire.
He took on national roles when he served as chairman of the National Governors Association and co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Following his service as governor, he received several honorary degrees, and the Purchase Parkway was renamed Julian M. Carroll Parkway. Mr. Carroll concluded his public service in the Kentucky Senate, where he served from 2004 to 2020.
He is survived by his children, Ken (Jenny), Patrice, and Elly, who were provided with opportunities for a wonderful education in Kentucky. As a loving grandfather, he enjoyed spoiling Chris (Niki), Jason, John Bradley, Clayton, Emma, Sam, and Max; and as a great-grandfather, he also continued the tradition of spoiling Evie, Lynlee, and Liam. He is also survived by his siblings, Neel Carroll, David Carroll, Jane Erickson, and Tommy Carroll.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Charlann; son, Brad, and six siblings.
Serving as pallbearers will be Kenneth Morton Carroll, Christopher Morton Carroll, Jason Thomas Carroll, John Bradley Carroll, Philip Maurice Block Jr., and Philip Barrett Block. Honorary pallbearers will be Sonny Hunt, David Cobb, and Craig Blanton.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Julian M. Carroll's memory to the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center or Murray State University Library, Julian M. Carroll Collection Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.