Cherokee County Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Kirk Day dies at 46

Cherokee County Probate Judge and County Commission Chairman J. Kirk Day died Wednesday at the age of 46.

Day reportedly suffered a heart attack on Oct. 5 at his home and was taken to Cherokee Medical Center. Ultimately he was transported to the Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga. where colleagues said he remained in critical, but stable, condition until he passed away Wednesday afternoon.

Cherokee County Commission called Day “a thoughtful, hardworking man who cared deeply for Cherokee County and its citizens,” in a statement.

“To him, each day was another opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. He will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time,” the statement continued.

Day was a 1989 graduate of Cherokee County High School in Centre, Ala. He went on to graduate from the United States Military Academy, West Point in 1993, after which he served nine years as an officer in the United States Army, upon which he returned to Centre, Ala.

In 2004, former-Gov. Bob Riley appointed Kirk to be Probate Judge of Cherokee County to complete an unexpired term. He was elected to the position again in 2012 and served in that capacity until death.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Day.

Alabama Supreme Court Justice Lyn Stuart on Wednesday commissioned Cherokee County District Judge Wes Mobley to serve as “special probate judge” until Day’s vacancy can be filled by Gov. Kay Ivey.