Tracy Larkin, a longtime city councilman in Montgomery and an army veteran, passed away on Tuesday at age 74 after an extended battle with a respiratory illness.
All flags in Alabama’s capital city will be flown at half-staff out of respect for Larkin’s passing, per a Wednesday morning announcement from Mayor Steven Reed. Larkin is survived by his wife Adrienne and a daughter.
Councilman Larkin was remembered as “empathetic, pragmatic and fair,” by Mayor Reed in a statement and called “a leader and one of those people who brought everyone together,” by Council President Charles Jinright.
News of Larkin’s passing was first reported by WSFA on Tuesday night, and the cause of his death was confirmed by the Montgomery Advertiser.
A Montgomery native who earned a master’s degree from Alabama State University after his service in the army, Larkin was first elected to the Montgomery City Council in 1999.
He defeated longtime Alabama Democratic Party power player Joe L. Reed, Sr. in that 1999 race, the father of current Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed. Ultimately, Larkin served five non-consecutive terms on the council.
After a narrow reelection victory in 2019, Larkin was selected by his fellow city council members to serve as council president pro tem, a title he relinquished in 2020 due to his ongoing health issues.
“Tracy spent his life serving others – working on behalf of not only his own district’s interests but the needs of our entire community,” Mayor Reed said Tuesday in a statement, adding, “He fiercely loved his family and wanted only the best for our city. We mourn this loss but rest assured in knowing Tracy’s legacy will live on and bear fruit for decades to come in Montgomery.”
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.