Former Missouri Governor ‘Kit’ Bond Dies at 86

Governor Mike Kehoe has announced the death of former U.S. Senator and Missouri Governor, Christopher S. “Kit” Bond.

He was 86.

Governor Kehoe released the following statement:

“Kit Bond was a skilled statesman, public servant, and a man who truly loved Missouri. I am blessed to have known Kit and honored to call him a friend and a mentor.

“Kit, always with his trademark smile and sense of humor, was a fierce advocate for Missouri throughout his accomplished 40-year career of public service. Kit kept Missouri’s interests at heart, both in office and out, making our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Whenever he was thanked for his service, Kit's response was always, 'Serving the people of Missouri was the honor of my life.'

“His legacy as a ‘favorite son’ to his beloved State of Missouri lives on through all he achieved for his home state. Kit touched the lives of so many men and women throughout his career, and today I join them in grieving the loss of a good man. Just as they will miss their friend and mentor, so will I. On behalf of all Missourians, Claudia and I share our deepest condolences and offer our prayers for his wife Linda, his son Sam, and the entire Bond family.”

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Governor Kehoe will order U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings and grounds statewide beginning today through the day Governor Bond is laid to rest.

Additional details on services to honor Governor Bond will be announced later today, Kehoe’s office said.

According to Joshua Shackles, "from his early days as Missouri’s youngest-ever governor to his 24-year tenure in the United States Senate, he served not for the sake of legacy or applause, but out of a sincere desire to make life better for Missourians and all Americans."