Ron Cyrus
Encyclopedia
Ronald Ray "Ron" Cyrus was a Democrat politician and public servant in Greenup County, Kentucky
. He was the father of American country music
singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus
and the grandfather of Christopher Cyrus, Miley Cyrus
, Braison Cyrus and Noah Cyrus
.
, 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. 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.
from 1984–1986 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].
. 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
. 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 passing. 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.
Greenup County, Kentucky
Greenup County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1804. As of 2000, the population was 36,891. Its county seat is Greenup. The county is named in honor of Christopher Greenup....
. He was the father of American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
and the grandfather of Christopher Cyrus, Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
, Braison Cyrus and Noah Cyrus
Noah Cyrus
Noah Lindsey Cyrus is an American child actress. Noah Cyrus followed the footsteps of older sister Miley Cyrus also an actress, and landed her first job portraying Gracie Herbert in television series Doc at age three...
.
Early life
Cyrus was born in Flatwoods, KentuckyFlatwoods, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,605 people, 3,114 households, and 2,282 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,691.9 people per square mile . There were 3,338 housing units at an average density of 742.6 per square mile...
, the son of Verlina Adeline (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
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. He was elected a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...
for Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
'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-CIOAFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
from 1984–1986 and was employed as a rigger with Armco Steel Ashland Works. He was a Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
, served as a regional representative with Alan Greenspan
Alan Greenspan
Alan Greenspan is an American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve of the United States from 1987 to 2006. He currently works as a private advisor and provides consulting for firms through his company, Greenspan Associates LLC...
of the Federal Reserve Board, is a former member of The Crownsmen Quartet, is a former Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
baseball coach, and was a member of Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association.
Cyrus also served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
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 cancerLung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
. He is interred in the Cyrus Family Cemetery in Louisa, Kentucky
Louisa, Kentucky
Louisa is a city in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. The Levisa Fork River and Tug Fork River join at Louisa to form the Big Sandy River...
.
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
Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus
Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus is the second soundtrack album from the Disney Channel original series Hannah Montana. The album was released on June 26, 2007 by Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records. In the television series and film, American recording artist and actress Miley Cyrus...
. The song "Hey Daddy" by his son Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus
William "Billy" Ray Cyrus is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon...
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. In honour of Ron Cyrus, Miley Cyrus chose to act as "Ronnie" for her character in the 2010 film The Last Song
The Last Song (film)
The Last Song is a 2010 American coming of age drama film developed alongside Nicholas Sparks novel by the same name. The film was directed by Julie Anne Robinson in her feature film directorial debut and co-written by Sparks and Jeff Van Wie...
. Miley Cyrus also changed her middle name from "Hope" to "Ray" in honor of her late grandfather as well as her father.