if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ [6] In all, Brown was out of the state leaving Lieutenant Governor Martha Layne Collins as acting governor for more than five hundred days during his four-year term. Brown Jr", "Fmr. [2], Brown joined his father's law practice after earning his law degree. Phyllis Ann George death: How the Miss America's 'glamor' helped husband John Y Brown Jr become governor in 1979. In 1971, Heublein Inc. acquired KFC for $285 million. [65] Brown then took Roasters public and grew it to a chain of more than 1,000 restaurants before selling his interest in the franchise to the Malaysia-based Berjaya Group in 1996. In one interview, George spoke with Dallas Cowboys star quarterback Roger Staubach about his all-American image and elicited a surprising response. She died in May 2020. [29] Despite this declaration, he purchased half-ownership in the NBA's Buffalo Braves later in 1976. "KFC Corporation". Brown said the couple's two children, Lincoln Brown, atechnology entrepreneur, andPamela Brown, a news reporter with CNN, had been with George in recent weeks providing care and support. Brown married three times, the second time to former Miss America Phyllis George. John Y. In Boston, Mr. Brown alienated loyalists by trading away popular players before selling the team in 1979. [66], Brown and his wife Phyllis separated in August 1995. Brown Jr. PepsiCo Jill Roachm. Joe Runci/The Boston Globe, via Getty Images. [13] The Louisville Junior Chamber of Commerce honored him as Louisville's Outstanding Young Man in 1969, and he was inducted into the University of Kentucky Alumni Association Hall of Distinguished Alumni on November 6, 1970.[13]. [59][62] He defeated Brown, his closest competitor, by a margin of 58,000 votes. [38] He was a member of the Young Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee, and was named honorary chairman of the National Democratic Party in 1972. Can you help fund our expanding, Pulitzer-winning investigative team? [47] Despite cutting personnel from the department, Metts doubled the miles of road that were resurfaced. In 1973, named chairwoman of the Kentucky Colonels after she bought a majority of the teams stock, she became the first woman to head a major professional basketball team. Rugeley, "Nunn Says Brown Unfit, Revives Old Charges". [59], Following his unsuccessful run for the governorship in 1987, Brown resumed his career in the restaurant industry. MAJOR WORKS: In July 1986, Reynolds announced the sale of KFC to PepsiCo for $850 million (around US$2.0 billion in 2020). But its still fun.. Top headlines:McGrath stands by ad despite Republican governors' objections. [44] The Department of Buildings and Construction forbade use of the mansion for overnight purposes or group meetings until repairs could be made. [1] In May 1981, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Kentucky, and in May 1982, he was the recipient of the Father of the Year award. She oncesaid that her favorite place on Earth was "Kentucky in the fall" and had moved back toKentucky in recent years, settling in Lexington, where John Y. [3][4] A 1979 People magazine article recounts that the elder Brown's nine unsuccessful political races for either governor or the U.S. Senate took a toll on his family and left his mother resentful of all the money spent on campaigns. He served as the 55th governor of Kentucky from 1979 to 1983, although he may be best known for building Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) into a multi-million dollar restaurant chain. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { [6] Funding his campaign with his own personal fortune, Brown launched a massive media campaign promoting his candidacy to help him overcome his late start in the race. [61][62] Brown refuted Beshear's claims in ads of his own, and the battle between Beshear and Brown opened an opportunity for Wilkinson who distinguished himself from the field by advocating for a state lottery to make a late surge. eventAction: 'view' While George gained notoriety on The NFL Today, she also did various other work for the network, including coverage of horse racing and the NBA. "Phyllis was a great asset to Kentucky," said Brown, who also lives in Lexington and said hehad maintained an amicable relationship with his ex-wife. Mr. Brown, a 30-year-old lawyer at the time, and a fellow investor bought Kentucky Fried Chicken from its founder, Harland Sanders, for $2 million in 1964 (about $19.3 million today). She alsohelped found the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation, which focuses on art education statewide. A Washington Post story headlined "Phyllis George and the Kentucky Fried Candidate"described the pairas "a campaign manager's dream of media heaven," with George, as theadoring wife,warming up crowdsfollowed by Brown with his sales pitch to be governor. NATIONALITY: British John Y. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Some 30 years after his retirement from professional football, Hall-of-F, Joseph Emerson Brown [47], Difficult economic times marked Brown's term in office. Attained Stardom at CBS [31] Four hours later, he acquired Nate "Tiny" Archibald from the New York Nets for George Johnson and a first-round draft pick in 1979. In two months' time, the couple were engaged and then married on St Patrick's Day in New York's Marble Collegiate Church in 1979. [71] Investor John Shannon Bouchillon sued Brown and Somers, claiming they had deceived him both before and after his investment of $400,000. When asked why they divorced he stated "I do have great love for Jill, but something which cannot be overlooked has come up in our marriage. John Y. [47] He waived his salary for the remainder of his term. Brown, Jr. is still alive Last check: 1 year ago Family Spouse Phyllis George, American businesswoman and actor John Y. While Brown served as governor from 1979 to 1983, his business ventures, sports ownerships and marriage to former Miss America Phyllis George are what he might be remembered for most. [2] After high school, Brown matriculated at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1957 and a law degree in 1960. Brown, Jr. married with Phyllis George (70), in 1979. His mother was Dorothy (Inman) Brown. The company went public two years later and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange by 1969. Copyright 2022 WKYT. He was 88. John Y. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), And then it made my job easier when it was time to look for more economic development and more growth., He would call me and say I dont like the way the football team is playing or the basketball team, said the founder of Host Communications, Jim Host. "She won it for him, there's no doubt about that," said Terry McBrayer, a Lexington lawyer and former state legislator who was among the Democrats who lost to Brown. He had many prominent accomplishments, but most of all he loved his family with all of his heart, and we in turn loved him with all of our hearts. },false) [50] Brown re-appointed McAnulty to his former position as a judge with the Jefferson County District Court and replaced him with another African-American, George W. We are one of the worlds fastest growing [12], For his work with KFC, Brown was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America by the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1966; the following year, the Chamber named him one of the Outstanding Civic Leaders of America. [56] James P. Lambert, an associate of Brown's since they attended the University of Kentucky together, was indicted on more than 60 drug charges. [1][6] He served as legal counsel for Paul Hornung when Hornung was suspended for the 1963 National Football League season for gambling. In 1969, he bought a controlling interest in the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association. We were there as Browns casket, flanked by a state police honor guard, was led into the capital and set up at the foot of the Abraham Lincoln statue. Brown Jr., Kentucky's Democratic candidate for governor, and his wife of seven months, Phyllis George, constantly hug and kiss like newlyweds on the campaign trail," the newspaper reported. eventAction: 'load' His sports ventures did not gain him many fans. Who's Kentucky's new first lady? But it was her 1979 marriage to Brown, aself-made millionaire and Kentucky Fried Chicken magnate, that brought her to Kentucky and thrust her into the political spotlightwhen he decided, just 10 days after their New York wedding, to run forgovernor in his home state. In the first, he swapped reigning Rookie of the Year Adrian Dantley for the Indiana Pacers' Billy Knight, who was second in the league in scoring the previous season. Brown and Massey then spent weeks attempting to persuade Sanders into changing his mind. "I was focused," she said. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. }); Former Kentucky first lady and Miss America Phyllis Ann George passed away at the age of 70 on Friday, May 15. [8] Brown eventually sold his interest in the team to co-owner Harry Mangurian in 1979. Editor:Can you help fund our expanding, Pulitzer-winning investigative team? [39] As noted by Kentucky historian Lowell H. Harrison, Brown's hands-off approach allowed the legislature to gain power relative to the governor for the first time in Kentucky history, a trend which continued into the terms of his successors. "Law Hall of Fame Announced, Alumni Honored". Seline, "Clucker's is First Casualty in Chicken Wars". document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. [24] Head coach Joe Mullaney followed soon after, saying that Brown was going to be too meddlesome in personnel decisions. Brown Jr. (Kentucky governor who later married tv host Phyllis George, 1979, and Jill Louise Brown, 1998), 1960 (div. She was also Kentucky's First Lady from 1979 to 1983. What is the downstream petrochemical industry? Mr. Browns first marriage, to Eleanor Durall, who was known as Ellie, ended in divorce. Four hours later, he trades George Johnson and a 1979 1st round pick to the New York Nets for Nate "Tiny" Archibald. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ ga('ads.send', { Brown, Jr. was 45 and Phyllis George was 29 years old. ", Current first lady:'Healthy at Home' isn't all laughs for Britainy Beshear. She told The Courier Journal she was happy with the new roles and her new life in New York, where she lived in an apartment overlooking Central Park. He married Wealthy Hotchkiss in 1847. While most credited Phyllis for John's win, in a Courier-Journal Interview, Phyllis said, "John was handsome, charismatic, successful, entrepreneurial, a visionary, but he's a little shy," admitting that her husband "needed encouragement" sometimes. George debuted on CBSs NFL pre-game show, The NFL Today, in 1974 with Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, and Jimmy The Greek Snyder. John Y. Brown Jr. laid to rest, One dead after tree falls onto car in Lexington, Chris Baileys Forecast | Potential for tornadoes to spin up across the area, Lexington asking residents to report property damage. [53], In 1987, Brown again ran for governor, entering a crowded Democratic primary that included Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear, former governor Julian Carroll, Grady Stumbo, and political newcomer Wallace Wilkinson. [2] Motivated by his father's disapproval, Brown averaged $1,000 in monthly commissions from vacuum cleaner sales. After the defeat, Brown focused again on his business ventures which included teaming up with country star Kenny Rogers to create a chicken restaurant chain and later a meal prep kitchen concept with actress Suzanne Somers. During his tenure, Brown exerted less influence over the legislature than previous governors and was frequently absent from the state, leaving Lieutenant Governor Martha Layne Collins as acting governor for more than one-quarter of his term. [37] While recovering from the surgery, Brown suffered a rare pulmonary disease, keeping him hospitalized for weeks, during part of which time he was comatose. Rugeley, "Friendship of Brown, Lambert Focus of Ads". (The new owners soon moved the Braves to San Diego and later Los Angeles as the Clippers.) He earned a bachelors degree in 1957 and a law degree in 1960, both from the University of Kentucky, and served in the Army Reserve from 1959 to 1965. [18] Kenny Rogers Roasters, another chain founded with country music superstar Kenny Rogers proved more successful. Television sports commentator and host "John Y Brown Jr, Kentucky's Democratic candidate for governor, and his wife of seven months, Phyllis George, constantly hug and kiss like newlyweds on the campaign trail. Browns business accomplishments put him on the Harvard Business Schools list of Great American Business Leaders of the 20th Century.. Kentucky Gov. Brown, John Carter Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also spoke out about George's passing, calling her a "trailblazing sports broadcaster, First Lady, advocate for the arts, and mother" in a tweet. FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - A former Kentucky Governor and well-known businessman was laid to rest on Wednesday. "[73] However, when Beshear was reelected in 2011, Brown did serve as inauguration co-chair with the other former governors. After George left CBS, she hosted a talk show on the Nashville Network and started a couple of businesses. [45] He was also given a travel allowance. Yes, John Y. Phyllis and John married in 1979 with their friend Norman Vincent Peale officiating, reported USA Today. John Y. [53] Six weeks later, on April 27, he withdrew his candidacy, citing the effects of his serious illness and surgery from the previous year. "Ourthoughts and prayers are especially with her children, Lincoln and Pamela.". John Sr. was a trial lawyer who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives in the mid-1930s and was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for several decades. In 1971, Brown sold his interest in KFC to Heublein for $284million (equivalent to $1,900,256,368 in 2021). [47], Brown appointed a group of insurance experts to study the state's policies and put them out for bid, ultimately saving $2million. Brown, Jr. passed away last week. [77][78] His funeral was held at the Kentucky Capitol on November 30. FRANKFORT, KY (WOWK) - Former Kentucky Governor John Y. (It was later bought by Nathans Famous.). She was the wife of John Young Brown Jr., an American politician, entrepreneur, and businessman from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. "Kentucky Governor John Y. [39] Consequently, many of his legislative recommendations were not enacted. Brown Jr. John Y. He was 88. But when he was blocked from moving the Braves to Louisville, Ky., Mr. Brown and a partner made a deal with the Boston Celtics ownership to swap the teams. Name variations: Ellie Brown. Brown Jr. is a famous Governor of Kentucky. [60] As Brown quickly became the frontrunner, Beshear attacked his lavish lifestyle in a series of campaign ads, one of which was based on the popular television show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Stryker's revenues climbed from $17 million to $6.7 billion under. [33] The move turned Boston fans against Brown, both because Kunnert and Washington were seen as key pieces of the team's future and because team president and legendary former coach Red Auerbach publicly stated that he was not consulted about the trade. [69] Brown said he had always been interested in curbing domestic violence, but his interest became personal after he discovered that his sister, Betty "Boo" McCann, had been a victim. } [58], On March 15, 1984, Brown filed as a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat held by Walter Dee Huddleston just hours before the filing deadline. [27] It was one of her very few film roles. "John Young Brown Jr. Hall of Distinguished Alumni. The team won the league championship in 1975 but folded when the A.B.A. [64] In December 1992, Clucker's, a smaller player in the roasted chicken market, sued Kenny Rogers Roasters, claiming the chain had copied its recipes and menus. She replied, "John, if you want to be governor, you gotta come over here.