Mr. Johnny V. Crow Jr. This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. www.dctenngop.org

   www.dctenngop.org/crow.html - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/11/2001   Last Visited: 1/15/2004

   Johnny Crow, State Senator 1979 - 1981
   ...
   Johnny Crow
   
   Johnny Crow was the first Republican elected to represent Dickson County in the Tennessee General Assembly.
   
   Mr. Crow had a long career as a public servant. He first became involved in public service in June of 1969 when he became a member and chairman of the Hickman County Board of Education. He was chairman until August of 1971 and served on the board until August of 1974. He became a board member and president of the Bon Aqua-Lyles Utility District in June of 1970, leading the panel until February of 1981. From 1971 to 1976, he served as mid state field coordinator for U.S. Senator Bill Brock.
   
   In November of 1978, Mr. Crow was elected State Senator for the 23rd District. He defeated incumbent Democrat James Sullivan in a hotly contested race. There were several key issues, but the one that drew the most attention was the fact that Mr. Crow's opponent was holding the position of Dickson County School Superintendent and State Senator simultaneously. Mr. Crow carried Sullivan's home county of Dickson, along with Republican stronghold Wayne County and the then-emerging Republican power of Williamson County.
   
   While Mr. Crow served in the Senate, he was instrumental in having an act passed that allowed Dickson County voters to popularly elect its School Superintendent. In 1980, a Nashville Banner survey of all members of the General Assembly showed that Crow's colleagues rated him as the second most effective freshman member of the legislature among 28 newcomers. While in the Senate he also served as Assistant Minority Leader and was a member of the Judiciary, Transportation, General Welfare and Government Operations Committees.
   
   He resigned his seat in August of 1981 when he was appointed to serve as director of the state's Farmers Home Administration office by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. His wife, Norma, was appointed by the Hickman County Commission to fill his Senate vacancy. He continued in the post with the FmHA until illness forced him to resign in 1989.
   
   Johnny Crow died at the age of 57 leaving his wife, two daughters, Betty Carolyn and Renee; and a son, Johnny V. Crow Jr.