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FRANKFORT — Former House Judiciary Chairman Gross Clay Lindsay, a Henderson Democrat who was a key figure in modernizing the state's court system and criminal laws, died Wednesday at his home of natural causes, Henderson County Coroner Bruce Farmer said. He was 77.
”Gross had a history of heart problems,“ Farmer said. ”But I always knew him to be a most vibrant man who did a lot for this community and state. The commonwealth has lost a great leader.“
Mr. Lindsay, who left the legislature in 2006 after losing a bid for re-election, was known for his keen intellect and love of the law. He was a longtime attorney in Henderson.
House Judiciary Chair Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, said Mr. Lindsay was ”the finest legislator I've ever met, and I have served with many fine legislators.
”He was a legal oracle. He was a well-balanced person. He had humor. And when he was serious, you knew he was serious.“
Mr. Lindsay entered the General Assembly in 1970 from the state's 11th House District.
In 1972, he was appointed to the Kentucky Penal Code Study Commission and was the primary sponsor of legislation that updated the state's criminal laws.
He also was active in an effort that allowed voters in 1975 to approve a constitutional amendment modernizing the state's court system.
Mr. Lindsay gave up his House seat in 1980. In 1982, he accepted a position as general counsel for the House majority floor leader. He also served as the Legislative Research Commission's legal counsel.
Mr. Lindsay returned as a member of the House of Representatives in 1993.
He was appointed chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in 1999, holding tight reins on legislation dealing with the law.
”Gross was a good, fair legislator,“ said Senate Judiciary Chairman Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. ”Most people — Democrat or Republican — would say he was looking to do what was right.“
Bobby Sherman, head of the Legislative Research Commission, noted that in the late 1970s, there was a Gross Lindsay Fan Club, with real membership cards for legislative staffers.
The membership card included a handsome photo of Mr. Lindsay, said Sherman, along with the motto ”It's Great to Be Gross.“
Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home in Henderson is handling arrangements.
Sign a guestbook for Gross Clay Lindsay