Eastern Ky. judge-executive dies. County will have third leader in less than a year.

The judge-executive of Martin County died Sunday in Ashland.

Victor Slone, 57, was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to judge-executive in April after serving as a magistrate since 2003. He replaced former Judge-executive Bill Davis when he resigned from Martin County Fiscal Court in March.

Slone announced on Dec. 8 he would not be seeking re-election for judge-executive. He posted on Facebook that after several years battling cancer, his health began to deteriorate.

“It has always been and continues to be my fervent belief that Martin County’s best days are ahead of us,” he wrote. “To that end, I have worked diligently to build a foundation for those who come after me. I have always based my actions on the hope Martin County will be a place that our children and grandchildren can live and work.”

His son Cody Slone said it had always been his dream to serve as judge-executive.

“I know it was cut short, but it was a dream come true,” Cody Slone said.

Victor’s grandfather Willie Kirk was county judge-executive from 1960 to 1982. His grandmother also served. Slone wanted to follow in their footsteps.

As magistrate, Slone pushed to create a sewer system in Warfield, provided stability when two magistrates who died in a six year period, worked to make county services more efficient and led first-term members and was instrumental in getting ATV trails and outdoor recreation activities in the county, Cody Slone said. Some of his contributions went unnoticed like delivering medications to an elderly person or getting a driver unstuck in the snow, Slone said.

“He has made a lasting impact not only on me but everyone in the county,” he said.

Magistrate Jared Goforth said Slone was always willing to help even when the court didn’t agree with him. He said the late judge-executive hit the ground rolling when he was appointed and conducted meetings professionally. Goforth said he saw Slone in December to sing Christmas carols and pray. His last message to Goforth was “We ain’t done yet.”

Inez Mayor Ed Daniels said Slone was a proactive leader and if one of the cities or communities needed help, he would see that they received it.

“We just lost a very good man in that office,” Daniels said.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said in a statement that Slone dedicated his life to public service and his community and always put the people of Martin County first.

Kentucky State Rep. Norma Kirk-McCormick said in a Facebook post Sunday that Martin County lost a vital person. Kentucky State Sen. Phillip Wheeler said Slone “was a Martin Countian through and through and fought hard for the county he loved until the very end.”

With the resignation of one judge-executive and the death of another judge-executive in less than a year, Goforth said Martin County will be struggling during the transition, but he hopes the next appointment will step up to work together and pull through.

Daniels said he is sure the governor will appoint a capable person.

Before the death of Victor Slone, Cody Slone filed to run for magistrate and continue on his father’s legacy. He said the judge-executive was happy that the family was going to continue to serve Martin County.

Victor Slone’s visitation will be 1 p.m. Tuesday and funeral will be noon Wednesday at Crum Funeral Home in Inez.

This story was originally published January 3, 2022 at 12:58 PM.