Former Clinton County Judge/Executive Charlene King passed away Friday at her residence in Spring Creek after a bout with lung cancer.

She was 72 years old and is survived by her husband, Dan Laib.

King was a well known figure in Clinton County business, politics, and public office for many years.

She was first elected to the office of Clinton County Judge/Executive in the November, 1993 general election as the Democrat nominee and when she was sworn in to that office in January, 1994, she became the first-ever woman to hold the position here.

She was re-elected to that office after her first term, becoming the first ever judge/executive to be elected to consecutive terms.

During her two terms in office, she worked with Kentucky Highlands, Inc. to submit an application that eventually was approved by the federal government to make Clinton County one of the first-ever Empowerment Zones, a designation that brought over $40 million in grants that resulted in a host of improvements to the area, as well as the creation of several jobs.

Among the accomplishments from her tenure in office were the Empowerment Zone designation, working to secure the Cagles Keystone processing plant, the building of the Learning Center and the Clinton County Library, a USDA grant that resulted in a major addition to the then Clinton County Hospital, the construction of the Emergency Medical Services building and the locating of the AirEvac hub.

The Clinton County Learning Center and Clinton County Library facility was among her proudest accomplishments and the street leading into those facilities is named “King Drive.”

In 2001, King was named County Judge/Executive of the year by the Kentucky Judge/Executive’s Association.

King was also involved for many years in the oil exploration business in and around Clinton County and at one time was a partner in a local pipe and supply business that catered to the oil exploration business as well.

A native Clinton Countian, King lived many years in the Frankfort, Kentucky area where she had a career in Kentucky government before moving back to Clinton County.

As recently as 2014, King was still involved in the local political scene.

In May, 2014, she defeated two opponents to capture the Democrat nomination for the office of Clinton County Judge/Executive.

In November, 2014, she faced Republican nominee Richard Armstrong in the general election and was defeated in that race.

A complete death notice for Charlene King appears this week on page 4.