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A RESOLUTION commemorating and honoring the life of Robert Ross "Jeff" 1
Jefferson. 2
WHEREAS, Robert Ross "Jeff" Jefferson was born on September 21, 1932, in 3
Lexington, Kentucky, to Martha Sandusky Ross and Frank Ross; and 4
WHEREAS, upon graduating from Dunbar High School, Jeff Jefferson enlisted in 5
the United States Air Force, where he honorably served his country during the Korean 6
War; and 7
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was the first African American on flying status with the 8
5th Bombardment Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing of the United States Air Force, 9
and followed his active service with 15 more years in the United States Air Force 10
Reserves; and 11
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson graduated from Kentucky State University, where he 12
earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science and a master's degree in public 13
affairs, and served as a career employee for the Federal Bureau of Prisons; and 14
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was elected as councilmember for the Lexington-Fayette 15
Urban County Government, proudly representing the 2nd District for 13 years and 16
serving as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee; and 17
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was the first Kentuckian to serve as a member of the 18
board of directors and advisory council for the National League of Cities; and 19
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was a civil rights leader and pillar of his community, 20
contributing to the founding of the Kentucky Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials 21
and serving as a member of multiple other civic and community organizations; and 22
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was a loyal member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 23
over 65 years, serving as the fraternity's 5th District Representative, and receiving the 24
Legacy of Life Award, the Community Service Award, and the 5th District Citizen of the 25
Year Award; and 26
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson departed this earthly life on December 16, 2022; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1018
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WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson was preceded in death by his late wife, Katie Elizabeth 1
Scott Jefferson; his son, Robert R. Jefferson Jr; his sister, Audrey Louise Grevious, and 2
his beloved mother; and 3
WHEREAS, Robert Ross Jefferson is survived by his son, Stanley Bruce (June) 4
Jefferson; his daughter in-law, Anita (bobby) Jefferson; six grandchildren, Robert 5
Jefferson III, Stanley Jefferson II, Elizabeth Jefferson, Camille Jefferson, Leondra 6
Knight, and Kimberly Peter; seven great-grandchildren, Antwan Penman, Jasmyn Smith, 7
Dominique Smith, Maliyah Smith, Isaiah Hayes, Jemaya Knight, and Royal Peter; and all 8
whom he cherished; and 9
WHEREAS, Jeff Jefferson's contributions to his community and to the 10
Commonwealth leave both a legacy and a void; 11
NOW, THEREFORE, 12
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 13
Kentucky: 14
Section 1. The members of the Senate hereby express their most profound 15
sympathy upon the passing of Robert Ross "Jeff" Jefferson. 16
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 17
Resolution to Senator Reginald Thomas for delivery to the family. 18