Two-term County Commissioner Paul Herrell died Friday at his home at Aid.

Herrell, 67, was known as a man as comfortable at the seat of county power as he was caring for the place he called Sunnybrook Farms or watching a granddaughter show rabbits at the county fair.

The lifelong Republican first took county office as commissioner in 1999, serving one term. He returned to politics in 2010 winning the November general election for his seat once more on the commission.

Serving with Herrell this time were Commission President Les Boggs and Commissioner Bill Pratt.

“I know he enjoyed coming to the courthouse,” Boggs said. “He had a real passion for his job as a commissioner. Our sympathy goes out to the family.”

Pratt, a Chesapeake dairy farmer, first met his colleague when Herrell, who had a dairy route, picked up milk from Pratt’s grandfather.

“Paul was definitely an iconic figure in Lawrence County politics,” Pratt said. “We are really going to miss him.”

Longtime friend and fellow Republican Ray Dutey, also former county auditor, called Herrell one of his closest friends.

“If he told you something, you could take it to the bank,” Dutey said. “I will miss Paul. He always liked to tease me. After the commission meeting he would sit down and talk with me. He was a good Republican. He was such a good friend to me. I will miss him.”

Dr. Bill Dingus first met Herrell when Dingus was leading the Ohio University Southern Ironton campus.

“It seemed like I have known Paul forever,” Dingus said. “He was just very much in love with the community and truly the whole Symmes Valley-Aid area. He felt a passion for its development and growth. Paul was a true American who loved his community and wanted to do well by them.”

County Auditor Jason Stephens served with Herrell during both his terms when Stephens was a commissioner. One of Herrell’s major accomplishments, Stephens said, was the Union-Rome Sewer Project.

“One thing that I always appreciated about Paul was how much he cared about people,” Stephens said. “He had a really good heart and really cared about Lawrence County. I remember him at the dedication of the Aid ambulance station, just seeing him being there. He was extremely proud of Lawrence County and enjoyed thoroughly being a county commissioner.”

Although on the other side of the aisle County Treasurer and Democrat Stephen Burcham called the commissioner someone who was devoted to public life.

“Mr. Herrell had a great sense of public service. That is one of the reasons he ran for public office again,” Burcham said. “It is unfortunate when someone passes away unexpectedly. It will be difficult for the family. And we will all be praying for them.”

Another Republican colleague was Sheriff Jeff Lawless who met Herrell through a mutual friend many years ago.

“Paul was a genuine man who cared about his friends and his county,” Lawless said. “If you were fortunate to be his friend, you were welcomed like a part of his family. His heart was in the right place as far as doing right by the county. He will be missed by the county.”

Funeral arrangements for the commissioner, which are incomplete, are under the direction of Phillips Funeral Home.