Judge and former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate dies after saving wife from fire

Luke Gentile

October 21, 10:43 AM October 21, 10:43 AM

A former appeals court judge and gubernatorial candidate in Kentucky died Thursday after rescuing his wife from a house fire.

Tom Emberton, 90, acted fast when his Edmonton home erupted into flames at about 3:30 a.m., according to a report.

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"He heroically rescued his wife and got her to safety," Edmonton Mayor Doug Smith said.

"Then he went back in to save his home and lost his life."

Emberton ran for Kentucky's gubernatorial seat in 1971.

Although unsuccessful in the bid, Emberton was appointed to Kentucky's Court of Appeals in 1987, according to the report.

He was twice reelected to the Court of Appeals and served as chief judge of the appellate court until his retirement in 2004.

"Tom was just the greatest guy in the world to be around. He was infectious to everybody," Smith said.

"He had a way about him that was really special."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) served on Emberton's gubernatorial campaign and spoke on his character.

"Tom gave me one of my earliest experiences in the rough and tumble reality of political campaigning, hiring me to work on his 1971 gubernatorial campaign," he said in a statement.

"He taught me valuable lessons on public service and running as a statewide Republican in Kentucky."

Emberton was married to his wife Julia for 65 years and had two children and five grandchildren.