Ron Cyrus
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| Ron Cyrus | |
| Born | July 10, 1935 Flatwoods, Kentucky, USA |
|---|---|
| Died | February 28, 2006 (aged 70) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Ronald Ray “Ron” Cyrus (July 10, 1935 – February 28, 2006) was a popular Democratic politician and public servant in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was the father of American country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus and the grandfather of actress/singer Miley Cyrus.
Cyrus was born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, the son of Verlina Adeline (née Hay) and Eldon Lindsey Cyrus.[1] He was elected a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for Kentucky's 98th Legislative District, which encompasses Greenup County, in 1975. He was elected to 11 consecutive terms--serving a total of 21 years--until he retired from office in 1996.
Cyrus served as executive secretary and treasurer of the AFL-CIO and was employed as a rigger with Armco Steel Ashland Works. He was a Kentucky colonel, served as a regional representative with Alan Greenspan of the Federal Reserve Board, is a former member of The Crownsmen Quartet, is a former Little League baseball coach, and was a member of Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association.
Cyrus also served in the United States Air Force in Japan. He served as founding Chairman of the Board of the Billy Ray Cyrus Charities Foundation and was a devoted member of Big Woods Community Church in Wellington, Kentucky.
Cyrus was 70 years old when he died on February 28, 2006 after battling mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer. He is interred in the Cyrus Family Cemetery in Louisa, Kentucky. The song "I Miss You" by Miley Cyrus was written for him and is featured on her 2007 album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus. The song "Hey Daddy" by Billy Ray Cyrus is also dedicated to him, on the album "Wanna Be Your Joe". Billy Ray sang this song to Ron Cyrus the night before his passing.
