[37], Unlike his father, Brown showed only a passing interest in politics prior to 1979. He then easily defeated Louie B. Nunn, a former Republican governor, that November. Brown, who built Kentucky Fried Chicken into a worldwide fast-food power then pledged to run the state as a business, has died at age 88. JOHN Y. I want to encourage you to stay the course and continue to get involved because we need to hear voices like yours. She would later say that was one of the toughest times in her professional life. John Brown ran Stryker Corp., a medical device and software company, for 32 years before retiring as chairman in 2009. Brown and Massey then spent weeks attempting to persuade Sanders into changing his mind. 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. [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. Copyright 2022 WKYT. [18] Kenny Rogers Roasters, another chain founded with country music superstar Kenny Rogers proved more successful. Louisville Courier Journal 0:00 0:57 Phyllis George, a former Miss America, television personality and ex-wife of Gov. },false) During Georges time at CBS, she earned around $175,000 per year. [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. [1] He was the only son of five children born to John Y. and Dorothy Inman Brown. All rights reserved. [13] Later that year, he considered running for the U.S. Senate, but decided against it once former governor Louie Nunn entered the race. [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. Brown lies in state at Kentucky Capitol", "Memorial service held for former Ky. Gov. 'Healthy at Home' isn't all laughs for Britainy Beshear, Those we've lost to the coronavirus in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. [55] Brown, who was not the focus of the FBI's investigation, later recanted that statement. Outside of her professional life, George married twice. Brown, Jr. is still alive Last check: 1 year ago Family Spouse Phyllis George, American businesswoman and actor John Y. I only do it with one girl (wife). A prodigious Democratic fund-raiser, Mr. Brown, a son of a former Kentucky congressman and state legislator, initially flirted with a political career, considering a run for the United States Senate before deciding against it at the last minute and then gauging a bid for governor in 1975 before again declining to join the race. [13] Brown sold the Lum's chain for $9.5million to Friedrich Jahn's Wienerwald holding group in 1978. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. 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 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. George stayed with The NFL Today for three seasons before she was replaced in 1978 by Jayne Kennedy. Brown Jr., who turned Kentucky Fried Chicken into a multimillion-dollar global enterprise before trying to run the state like a business as its Democratic governor from 1979 to. [59] He entered the race late filing his candidacy papers in late February before the primary election in late May. Hobbled by a recession, Mr. Brown compiled a mixed record as the states chief executive. }); [9] He got his wife involved in managing a barbecue restaurant; upon seeing its success, he became convinced of the financial potential of the fast food industry. Senator Reggie Thomas says Brown had a major influence on him as a young adult. George,. [50] He also appointed Viola Davis Brown as Executive Director of the Office of Public Health Nursing in 1980, she was the first African-American nurse to lead a state office of public health nursing in the United States. Following through on his campaign promise to make more diverse appointments, he named a woman and an African-American to his cabinet. Brown Jr., who built the Kentucky Fried Chicken empire and was elected governor of Kentucky in 1979. We had fun every day during our time in the Capitol and kept an amicable relationship throughout the years, said Gov Brown about his ex-wife's recent passing. Brown served as the commonwealth's 55th governor . 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. Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages. He was a sound steward of the commonwealths resources, but he was not a leader who proposed new programs in areas such as education or human resources, Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau and Bruce L. McClure wrote in Kentuckys Governors (1985). AP Worldstream. John Y. [57] Phone records also showed calls from the governor's mansion to several individuals eventually convicted of drug charges in connection with the investigation. [69] In 2003, Patton renamed Kentucky Route 9 as the "John Y. Their daughter, Pamela Brown,lives in the Washington, D.C., area. [59], Following his unsuccessful run for the governorship in 1987, Brown resumed his career in the restaurant industry. Brown, Jr. has died at the age of 88. [6] Brown defeated former Republican governor Louie Nunn in the 1979 general election by a vote of 588,088 to 381,278. [53], In Kentucky's Governors, Brown biographer Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau said of his administration: "There were no scandals. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. She is survived by her two children, Lincoln Tyler George Brown and daughter Pamela Brown, a reporter for CNN. [64] Kentucky Fried Chicken also introduced a roasted chicken line of products called Rotisserie Gold to compete with Roasters and Boston Chicken. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Beshear says flags will be flown at half staff at all state office buildings until sunset on the day of Brown's interment. [6][10] During a 1963 political breakfast, Brown met Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and the two discussed selling Sanders' chicken in Brown's chain of barbecue restaurants. Brown, Jr. passed away last week. Name variations: Ellie Brown. "Kentucky Governor John Y. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), It brings back a lot of good memories. "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. [47] Despite cutting personnel from the department, Metts doubled the miles of road that were resurfaced. In Boston, Mr. Brown alienated loyalists by trading away popular players before selling the team in 1979. Among his children are news anchor Pamela Ashley Brown and former Secretary of State of Kentucky John Young Brown III. [6] The race was so close that Sloane, Brown's closest competitor, refused to concede for two days. '"The article reported that after Phyllis' 11month marriage to Hollywood movie producer Robert Evans had broken up, she had run into John at a party in Hollywood. A strong media campaign funded by his personal fortune allowed him to win the Democratic primary and go on to defeat former Republican governor Louie B. Nunn in the general election. In 1971, Brown sold his interest in KFC to Heublein for $284million (equivalent to $1,900,256,368 in 2021). Brown, Jr. was 45 and Phyllis George was 29 years old. Brown Jr. (Kentucky governor who later married tv host Phyllis George, 1979, and Jill Louise Brown, 1998), 1960 (div. BROWN JR. was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1933. The companys rapid expansion across the United States and overseas became overwhelming for Sanders. And I would say, John, they are going to be better. Well, lets go to practice, we would call up Cal and go to practice.. John Young Brown Jr. (December 28, 1933 - November 22, 2022) is an American politician, entrepreneur, and businessman from the U.S. state of Kentucky. [43] The Department of Buildings and Construction's preliminary report stated "If this was a privately operated structure, this office would have no alternative other than to give the operator 30 to 60 days to rewire the structure. John Y. [5][6] As an undergraduate, he was a member of the golf team and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Born Eleanor Bennett Durrall, Feb 11, 1940, in Central City, KY; m. John Y. "For many, Mom was known by her incredible accomplishments," Lincoln and Pamela Brown said. While Brown served as governor from 1979 to 1983, his business ventures, sports ownerships and marriage Phyllis George are what he might be remembered for most. Encyclopedia.com. John Y. 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. Personal life [ edit] George with her then-husband John Y. In July 1986, Reynolds announced the sale of KFC to PepsiCo for $850 million (around US$2.0 billion in 2020). [49] McAnulty resigned his post as secretary of the state's Justice Cabinet within one month, saying the position would keep him from spending enough time with his family. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Brown Jr., who became Kentucky's governor after building empires in business and sports, has died. John Y. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Phyllis George Brown initiated the last major renovation of the Mansion in the early 1980s. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Seline, "Clucker's is First Casualty in Chicken Wars". We are heartbroken by his passing, but find comfort in what he wrote in one of his final days, I have never been so happy., his kids, Lincoln, Pamela, John the 3rd, Sissy and Sandy. The beauty so many recognized on the outside was a mere fraction of her internal beauty, only to be outdone by an unwavering spirit that allowed her to persevere against all the odds.. Four hours later, he trades George Johnson and a 1979 1st round pick to the New York Nets for Nate "Tiny" Archibald. In early 1985, after her four yearsas Kentucky's first lady, she became a co-host with Bill Kurtis of "CBS Morning News," a disappointing run for Georgethat lasted only eight months. [16][15] He later started a chain of take-out restaurants called Ollie's Trolley, named for Gleichenhaus. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. [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. During her time on the show, George also had more than her share of intriguing interviews with some of the games big-name players. Governor John Y Brown, Jr. and a group of investors purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken from its founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, for $2 million in 1964. He first made his mark in the restaurant franchise industry by recognizing the appeal of fast fried chicken during the 1960s and made "the colonel . [6], In 1991, Brown formed a partnership with recording artist Kenny Rogers, co-founding and serving as CEO of Kenny Rogers Roasters, an international chain of wood-roasted chicken restaurants. 19791998Eleanor Durallm. I don't want to be part of it. [28], After folding the Colonels, Brown stated that basketball was not the kind of business he wanted to be involved in. [23] Colonels general manager Mike Storen felt that this was a sign that Brown was going to run the team "his way" and left the team as a result; two months later, he accepted the job of ABA league commissioner. [30] The Braves had posted a dismal 3052 record in the 197576 season, and Brown immediately set out to make moves that would improve the franchise's fortunes in the next season. Williams, "Business Update Brown Backs Rogers' New Chicken Chain". She alsohelped found the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation, which focuses on art education statewide. John Y. (It was later bought by Nathans Famous.). Brown Jr. is a famous Governor of Kentucky. Can you help fund our expanding, Pulitzer-winning investigative team? [44] Upon receiving the report, Brown immediately moved his family out of the mansion and back to Cave Hill, his estate in Lexington. Brown, John Carter NATIONALITY: British "[15] Accordingly, he hired a group of young executives to find "the perfect hamburger". Rugeley, "Nunn Says Brown Unfit, Revives Old Charges". Brown Jr., not only dreamed the impossible dream, he lived it until the very end. In the 1970s, Brown purchased ownership stakes in several professional basketball teams. John Y. Brown Jr. has died at the age of 88, according to Governor Andy Beshear. [61] Other ads by Beshear played up Brown's ties to James P. Lambert, while still others claimed that Brown would raise taxes. [47] When state income fell short of expectations, he reduced the state budget by 22 percent and cut the number of state employees from 37,241 to 30,783, mostly through transfer and attrition. What clothing brands were popular in the 50s? Copyright 2022 WKYT. John Young Brown Jr. was born in Lexington on Dec. 28, 1933. }); In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Reach Deborah Yetter at dyetter@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4228. [79][80] Brown was buried in the Lexington Cemetery. Brown Jr", "Fmr. John Y. Kentuckians have known CNN reporter Pamela Brown since before she was born. As the story goes, Mr Brown had been wanting to meet Miss George ever since the night his divorce from his first wife, Ellie, who ran his unsuccessful Kentucky Colonels basketball team, became final, and he caught a glimpse of Miss George on television. [8] After only a few years, Brown left his father's law firm and began a career in business. Her other business was Phyllis George Beauty, a line of cosmetics and skin-care products, sold on the Home Shopping Network. She died Thursday from complications from a blood disorder she had developed in her mid-30s but had managed for many years, Brown told The Courier Journal on Saturday. John Y. ga('ads.send', { Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 38years (November 29, 1983)Pamela Brown / Age. "Jahn, Fast-Food King, Buying Lums of Miami". "Phyllis, don't bother them," she recalled him saying. [21] Following the 197273 season, Cherry sold his interest in the Colonels to a group from Cincinnati; Brown immediately purchased Cherry's interest from the group, reportedly to keep the team from moving to Cincinnati. [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. 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. eventAction: 'click_ads' Brown, Jr. passed away last week. 1964 Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Host and Brown differed politically, but he says they could agree to disagree. He was born on December 28, 1933 and his birthplace is Lexington Kentucky. "I was focused," she said. [12] Giving all their restaurants a distinct red-and-white striped color pattern, the group opened over 1,500 restaurants, including locations in all 50 U.S. states and several international locations. Reynolds, the tobacco giant. That's the same as around $1.8 billion in today's dollars. [67] After a brief legal fight over whether the proceedings should take place in Kentucky or Florida, the divorce became final in 1998. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- John Y. John Sr. was named for, but not related to, the nineteenth century governor of the same name. [24] Head coach Joe Mullaney followed soon after, saying that Brown was going to be too meddlesome in personnel decisions. He was investigated for failing to make a mandatory report of a $1.3 million cash withdrawal from one of his bank accounts, although he was never charged with wrongdoing. The flagship store opened in Tates Creek Centre in Lexington, and a second store was opened in New Jersey. He married Wealthy Hotchkiss in 1847. [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. John revealed to WYKT that Phyllis had developed a blood disorder when she was in her 30s and was told that as she got older, it would cause her problems. [6], Other candidates in the Democratic field included sitting lieutenant governor Thelma Stovall, Terry McBrayer (the choice of sitting governor Julian Carroll), congressman Carroll Hubbard, state auditor George Adkins, and Louisville mayor Harvey Sloane. In some mountain towns, people would greet the couple with handmade gifts for George, introducing her to folk art, which captivatedher. And everybody in Kentucky, it seems, wants to kiss the former Miss America turned television personality," said aNew York Times article aboutthe race. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in Browns honor until sunset on the day of interment. [27] He frequently clashed with coach Hubie Brown during the 197576 season, and at the end of the year, he accepted $3million to fold the team during the 1976 ABANBA merger rather than paying $3million for the team to join the National Basketball Association (NBA). His third marriage, to Jill Louise Roach, a former Mrs. Kentucky, ended in divorce in 2003. They used to say, Behind every strong man there's a strong woman. Well, I like to say,Besideevery strong man there's a strong woman.'". [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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Brown grew Kentucky Fried Chicken from 600 to 3,500 franchises. "US Lawsuit Against Actress Somers Dismissed". Brown, Jr. married with Phyllis George (70), in 1979. Her first marriage to Robert Evans, the former head of Paramount Pictures and film producer, lasted just over a year. "She was always a very, very nice person and very decent to me. [2] The investment group changed the restaurant's format from the diner-style restaurant envisioned by Sanders to a fast-food take out model. Mr. Brown, right, in 1978 with Red Auerbach, the general manager of the Boston Celtics, shortly after Mr. Brown became the owner of the team. Born Eleanor Bennett Durrall, Feb 11, 1940, in Central City, KY; m. John Y. Brown Jr. PepsiCo Adam WrightPamela Brown / Spouse (m. 2017), July 22, 1978Robert Evans [65] The lawsuit continued until Roasters purchased a majority stake in Cluckers in August 1994. }) "I was blessed to know Phyllis and her family. McGrath stands by ad despite Republican governors' objections. 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. 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. On Wednesday, a private service for John Y. His career as an investor had continued after his purchase of Kentucky Fried Chicken. 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. Brown sold his stake in the company for $284 million in 1971. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ [1][6] He served as legal counsel for Paul Hornung when Hornung was suspended for the 1963 National Football League season for gambling. His family said the death, in a hospital, was caused by complications of Covid-19. "But he's a little shy.". ga('ads.send', { The service took place at 2:00 p.m. and was broadcasted statewide on KET. [79], Brown during his term as governor, 197882. ", In New York, after appearing in commercials and some minor roles, George's first major break was as a commentator withCBS Sports. Brown Jr. (Kentucky governor who later married tv host Phyllis George, 1979, and Jill Louise Brown, 1998), 1960 (div. In 1971, Brown sold KFC to Heublein Inc. for $285 million. A public visitation for Brown. Phyllis George died on May 14, 2020, at the age of 70, at Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.