Former West Virginia governor and senator Jay Rockefeller dies at 89

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 19:25 · Archive

Jay Rockefeller, former West Virginia governor and US senator, has died aged 89.

Jay Rockefeller, the former West Virginia governor and US senator, has died aged 89. His family announced his death in Washington. Rockefeller was born in New York City in 1937 and was the great-grandson of John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil. Despite his family's Republican ties, Rockefeller became a lifelong Democrat.

Rockefeller came to West Virginia in the mid-1960s as a volunteer with AmericaCorps to work in impoverished communities in Appalachia, an experience that changed his life and led him toward public service. A Harvard graduate, he focused his career on issues including healthcare and poverty relief. He was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, then ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1972 before winning the office in 1976.

Rockefeller served two terms as governor from 1977 to 1985. In 1984, he was elected to the US Senate, where he served five terms, representing West Virginia for 30 years until his retirement in 2014. He briefly considered a presidential run in 1992. Current West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said Rockefeller "devoted much of his life to serving our state and its people" and that his work "helped shape our state and left a lasting mark on the lives of generations of West Virginians". US Senator Shelley Moore Capito also expressed sadness at his passing.

How it is being reported

• Gov. Patrick Morrisey remembers Jay RockefellerFollowing former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator Jay Rockefeller’s passing, current West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey shares his condolences and memories.WSAZ · 6 Nov, 19:10
• Former West Virginia Governor and Senator Jay Rockefeller dies at 89Former West Virginia governor and U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV has died.WVVA · 6 Nov, 15:13
• West Virginia leaders remember legacy of Jay RockefellerCHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) - West Virginia is reacting to the passing of former U.S. Senator and West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller, who died at the age of 89. John "Jay" Davison Rockefeller was born in New York City in 1937, according to the West Virginia Encyclopedia, and first came to West Virginia in 1964 as [...]Wowktv · 6 Nov, 14:48
• Former US Senator, West Virginia governor Jay Rockefeller dies at 89CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) - Former United States Senator Jay Rockefeller has died at 89 years old. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced his passing in a social media tribute, calling Rockefeller a man who "devoted much of his life to serving our state and its people." Rockefeller was born in New York City in 1937, [...]Wowktv · 6 Nov, 13:49
• Former W.Va. governor, U.S. senator Jay Rockefeller dies at 89Former West Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller has died at 89, according to The Washington Post.WSAZ · 6 Nov, 13:28

In this story: Jay Rockefeller · West Virginia · Patrick Morrisey · Shelley Moore Capito · John D. Rockefeller · AmericaCorps

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