After rescuing his wife from a horrifying home fire, a former Kentucky appeals judge perished.
Tom Emberton, 90, a former candidate for governor, saw the burning of his Edmonton house at 3.30 a.m. yesterday.
Before racing back inside to salvage his belongings and put out the fire, he assisted in carrying his wife Julia to safety. He perished in the ensuing fire, however.
Uncertain circumstances surround the fire that completely destroyed the home.
In 1971, Emberton campaigned for governor of Kentucky; in 1987, he was chosen to serve on the state’s court of appeals.
Emberton’s close friend and fishing companion, Edmonton mayor Doug Smith, paid homage to him today.
He informed WBKO that his wife was bravely saved and brought to safety.
Then, in an attempt to preserve his house, he went back inside and perished.
Tom was just the finest person to be around. Everyone was infected by him. He had a really unique manner about him.
The judge was a loving father to two children, a grandpa to five, and had been married for 65 years.
He twice won reelection to the Court of Appeals, where he presided as its top judge until his retirement in 2004.
Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Senate’s minority, collaborated with Emberton in his governorship campaign.
In a heartfelt note, he expressed his “heartbreak” at the loss.
The Republican said: “Tom hired me to work in his 1971 gubernatorial campaign, giving me one of my early encounters in the rough and tumble realities of political campaigning.
He gave me invaluable advice on serving the public and running for office as a Republican in Kentucky.
“Tom” helped organize Kentucky Republicans at every level and promoted conservative principles across our state, opening the path for myself and a great number of other conservatives to follow in his footsteps.
Tom was a wonderful husband, father, grandparent, and great-grandfather. He was also a good citizen.
Our children and prayers are with Julia Lee, Tom Sr. and Laura Emberton, the five Emberton grandkids, and the whole Emberton family at this trying time.