George Plummer: A Family Tradition of Service

Written by Brenda S. Bear (brendasbear@gmail.com). Please do not copy or share my writing without my permission. Thank you for reading my stories.

Leaders are remembered not just for what they build, but for how they lift the people around them. George Plummer is one of those rare individuals whose life has been defined by a deep commitment to his community.

In 1795, George’s ancestors floated down the Ohio River by flatboat. His great grandfather, Martin Luther Plummer and his brother, William A. Plummer owned a monument business and were responsible for constructing the limestone base to the Union Monument statue that sits on the Lewis County Courthouse steps.

The brothers went on to leave a lasting mark on Vanceburg, building many of the city’s notable structures. Among their work is the Pugh House - the oldest home in the city, the row of Main Street buildings known as the Stamper Block, the Methodist Church, and the Plummer House on Front Street. In 1870, they opened Lewis County’s first funeral home, a family enterprise that endured for over 105 years and spanned three generations.

George’s passion for service began early. His grandmother, Blanche (Lykins) Chapman, often shared stories about her father, George W. Lykins, who served as a Lewis County Sheriff around 1910. Those stories sparked George’s interest in public service. His paternal grandmother, Stella (Burriss) Plummer, who married Oscar M. Plummer Sr., ran the family funeral home and taught him lessons about leadership and responsibility to the community.

George describes his family as “small business owners and leaders.” Over the years, Plummer family members have served as grocery store owners, oil distributors, drug store proprietors, City Council members, Masons, Lions Club volunteers, and members of the Lewis County Board of Education. George notes that someone in the Plummer family has held nearly every office in the county at one time or another, except County Attorney.

George’s uncle, George Martin Plummer, was another large influence on his life. He served as Lewis County Clerk from 1942 to 1970. Known locally as ‘Mr. GOP’, he helped spark George’s interest in politics and even gave him his first job at age eleven, running errands for the Clerk’s office for $5 a day.

In November of 1969 his Uncle George was elected for Kentucky State Senator for the 18^th District. He worked for two weeks and had a heart attack and died at the age of 58. George’s dad, Luther Karl Plummer was asked to run for the office. Luther Karl also had a large presence in the area and in George’s life. He served in WWII and took part in the D-Day invasion. He was elected Kentucky State Senator in 1970 and served one term.

George was very involved in both his uncle and his father’s campaigns. He said that whenever he had a day off, he would drive to Frankfort and spend time at the Capitol. During the four years his father served, George joined him whenever the opportunity arose. “To this day, I get goose bumps when I walk in the door to the Capitol Building,” George says.

After high school, George went to work at Armco Steel in Ashland. His interest in politics and community service never faded and at just 27 years old, he ran for Kentucky State Representative. George served two terms as Kentucky State Representative from 1978 to 1982, all while continuing his work at Armco. One of his proudest accomplishments during that time was helping stop a landfill from being built in Ribolt. Despite powerful opposition, he worked with others to pass legislation that protected the community. “We got the bill passed and we won,” he recalls.

George retired from Armco Steel in 1992 after 25 years of service. The following year, he ran for Lewis County Judge Executive and won the election. When he took office in 1994, he quickly realized the county was struggling financially. “The bills waiting to be paid were nearly equal to the money in the general fund. We had just enough money to exist and keep the lights turned on. There was no money for development or any luxuries,” George remembers.

Instead of being discouraged, George relied on the contacts he had built during his time at State Senator and worked tirelessly to bring resources into the county. During his two terms as Judge Executive from 1994 to 2003, Lewis County saw major improvements. Under his leadership, the county built a $4 million Justice Center and a $1.5 million Detention Center. Nearly $3 million in sewer lines were installed in Tollesboro, wooden bridges were replaced with steel and concrete structures, and an Industrial Park was created that eventually brought businesses like Coroplast to the county.

Even the county’s snow removal system improved dramatically. On George’s first day in office, a snowstorm dropped 12 inches of snow on Lewis County, which at the time did not own a single snowplow. By the time he left office, the county were proud owners of 10 snowplows.

George’s commitment to Lewis County extends far beyond elected office. Over the years he has served on numerous boards and organizations, including the Buffalo Trace Area Development Council for 13 years, the Vanceburg Lions Club for 25 years, the Lewis County Board of Health for 10 years, the Lewis County Extension Board for 10 years, and the Licking Valley Community Action Board for 9 years. He has also been involved with the Lewis County Historical Society since its founding in 1976, along with Woodland Cemetery, Vanceburg Little League, and many other community efforts.

Despite decades of leadership, George remains humble. “The hardest part of running for office,” he says, “was talking to a crowd. I’ve always been more comfortable connecting with people one-on-one.”

George has been married to Sharon (Moore) Plummer for 45 years. He has two children, Andy and Sarah and three grandchildren. The grandchildren represent the eighth generation of Plummers in Lewis County.

His story is about more than the offices he has held or the buildings his family helped construct. It is a story rooted in generations of family, service, and a deep commitment to the community they have called home for more than a century. It also reflects a legacy being carried forward, as the next generation grows up connected to the same place and traditions that shaped those who came before them.

Written by Brenda S. Bear (brendasbear@gmail.com)