Ron Cyrus
| Ron Cyrus | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ronald Ray Cyrus July 10, 1935 Flatwoods, Kentucky, USA |
| Died |
February 28, 2006 (aged 70) Lexington, Kentucky, USA |
| Occupation | Politician |
Political party | Democratic |
Ronald Ray "Ron" Cyrus (July 10, 1935 – February 28, 2006) was a Democratic politician and public servant in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was the father of American country music singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus and paternal grandfather of the singer/actress Miley Cyrus.
Early life
Cyrus was born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, the son of Verlina Adeline (née Hay, 1894–1980) and Eldon Lindsey Cyrus (1895–1975), son of Sarah and Joseph "Joe" (1872–1939) Cyrus, who was the son of John 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.
Politics
Cyrus served as executive secretary and treasurer of the Kentucky AFL-CIO from 1984 to 1986 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.
Death and tributes
Cyrus was 70 years old when he died on February 28, 2006, after battling lung cancer. He is interred in the Cyrus Family Cemetery in Louisa, Kentucky.
The song "I Miss You" by Cyrus' granddaughter Miley was written for him and is featured on her 2007 album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus.[2] The song "Hey Daddy" by his son 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 death. In honour of Ron Cyrus, Miley Cyrus chose to act as "Ronnie" for her character in the 2010 film The Last Song. Miley Cyrus also changed her middle name from "Hope" to "Ray" in honor of her late grandfather as well as her father. Miley Cyrus' autobiography Miles to Go is also dedicated to Ron Cyrus.
References
- ↑ www.lrc.ky.gov
- ↑ Webster, Andy (February 1, 2008). "Movie Review – Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert – Pop in 3-D". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 17, 2009.