Funeral services today for former US Sen. Mathews

Friday, May 9, 2014, Vol. 38, No. 19

NASHVILLE (AP) — Funeral services for former U.S. Sen. Harlan Mathews are scheduled for Monday in Nashville.

Mathews, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Al Gore after he was elected vice president in 1992, died Friday at age 87. He had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Visitation is set for 1:30 p.m. at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home and the funeral service will be at 3 p.m.

Mathews joined Tennessee government in 1950 as a member of the state budget staff and quickly became a top aide to Govs. Frank Clement and Buford Ellington.

The Legislature elected Mathews as state treasurer in 1974, a position he held until resigning to run Democrat Ned McWherter's successful gubernatorial campaign in 1986.