No cause of death has been revealed at this time.
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This was always one of my favorite pictures of Judd ‘in action’! This was taken the day a complicated plan to take care of Common Core was unfolded on the House Floor.
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My favorite picture with one of my best friends EVER, Judd Matheny, former outstanding state representative (2002-2018) and then mayor of Coffee County who was found dead on Tuesday. He was dedicated to serving the state and the people he represented, and he was GOOD at what he did. He knew how to be an effective leader that other legislators
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would work with and follow. He knew how to plan an effective strategy to get the task accomplished. I was blessed to work with him on several significant pieces of legislation.
We happened to be having a meeting, as I recall, with my lobbying partner Joanne Bregman and then senator Mark Green, on my 73rd birthday (2013). Judd brought me a birthday chocolate cheese cake with the numbers backward on it. Those candles have been on the windowsill over my kitchen sink since that time. Oh Judd, you will be missed my sweet, thoughtful friend.
Please be praying for his family, friends and so many people who are feeling this great loss.
Coffee County Mayor Judd Matheny Found Deceased Inside Home, TBI Investigating
By Kaitlin Housler
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating the death of Coffee County Mayor Judd Matheny, who was found deceased inside his home by the Tullahoma Police Department (TPD) on Tuesday.
Matheny, 53, formerly served as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 47 from 2002 to 2018. He was elected mayor of Coffee County on August 4, 2022.
Just after 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, TPD announced that Matheny was discovered deceased by officers at his home, located at 1909 E Lincoln St., after the department received a call “reporting a possible death.”
TPD said the case surrounding Matheny’s death is an “ongoing investigation” which has been handed over to the TBI.
“The Tullahoma Police Department expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Coffee County Mayor Judd Matheny. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and constituents during this difficult time,” TPD said in a Facebook post. “Mayor Matheny dedicated his life to serving our community, both as a successful businessman, farmer, and as a committed public servant. His leadership and dedication will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Matheny’s death comes one day after his office published the latest edition of The Mayor’s Message, which is a weekly pre-recorded show on YouTube where Matheny gives updates about the county and interviews members of the community.
Tributes to Matheny poured in following the news of his death.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett was among those who paid tribute to Matheny, saying, “I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of my longtime friend and public servant, Coffee County Mayor Judd Matheny.”
“Since Judd was elected to the House in 2002, we were close friends. As an elected official, he attacked his role as a public servant with vigor and passion and always had the safety and success of Coffee County and our state in mind when taking action. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time of grief,” Hargett said.
Tennessee U.S. Representatives Mark Green (R-TN-07) and John Rose (R-TN-06) also released statements on Matheny’s death.
