It has been a half-century since C.J. Mowell was sworn-in as the Fayette County Coroner. Mowell in a Feb. 29 letter announced that he will be retiring at the end of March.

Mowell in the letter to the Fayette County Commission summed up his decision saying, “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the elected office of Coroner of Fayette County for the past 50 years (Feb. 16, 1966 – March 31, 2016). After much thought and consideration, I have decided that it is time to retire, and to resign from this position effective March 31, 2016.

“I am, and will be, indebted to the people of Fayette County who elected me and entrusted me to this office, which is an honor that cannot be taken lightly. I can truly say that I love Fayette County and I am thankful to have had this opportunity to serve.”

County Administrator Steve Rapson on Wednesday said Fayette County Probate Judge Ann Jackson will appoint an interim coroner to serve through the end of the year. 

The qualifying period for the upcoming election will be held during the week of March 7-11.