Longtime Troup County commissioner dies, officials say
Richard English, Jr., the longest serving commissioner in the State of Georgia. (Photo courtesy of Troup County)
TROUP COUNTY, Ga. - Troup County's longest-serving, first and only black commissioner has died, a county spokesperson announced Tuesday.
Richard English Jr., the longest-serving commissioner in the State of Georgia, was elected to the Troup County Board of Commissioners in 1978 and served District 5 for 43 consecutive years. English was in the midst of his 11th term as the commission's Vice-Chairman.
English's current term was set to expire at the end of 2022.
English is a graduate of Speight High School in Fort Gaines, Georgia, and West Georgia Technical College. He is a United States Army veteran.
Richard English, Jr., the longest serving commissioner in the State of Georgia. (Photo courtesy of Troup County)
A county spokesperson said English was integral in establishing a Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in Troup County and establishing affirmative action for employees.
English was self-employed as an independent contractor and worked as a Building Manager in LaGrange for twenty-four years.
Flags in Troup County will be set at half-staff for seven days beginning Wednesday to remark on English's service to Troup County.
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