Early life[edit]

Cyrus was born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, to Verlina Adeline Hay (1894–1980) and Eldon Lindsey
Cyrus (1895–1975). He was a 1959 graduate of Russell High School, a graduate of Ashland
Community College, and attended the University of Kentucky.[3]

Politics[edit]
A member of the Democratic Party, 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 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, member of The
Crownsmen Quartet, Little League baseball coach, and 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[edit]

Cyrus was 70 years old when he died on February 28, 2006, of lung cancer. He was buried
in Louisa, Kentucky.[citation needed]
The song "I Miss You" by Cyrus' granddaughter Miley Cyrus was written for him and was featured on
her 2007 album Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus.[4] The song "Hey Daddy" by Cyrus' son Billy
Ray Cyrus is also dedicated to him, on the album Wanna Be Your Joe. Billy Ray sang this song to
Cyrus, the night before his death. In honor of Cyrus, his granddaughter, Miley chose to act as
"Ronnie" for her character in the 2010 film The Last Song. She also changed her middle name from
"Hope" to "Ray" in Cyrus' honor. A chapter of her autobiography Miles to Go is also dedicated to
Cyrus.

References