Francis Lynn Luallen

Francis Lynn Luallen passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026. He was born in Paris, Kentucky to Wilford and Frances Luallen. Lynn is survived by his wife, Crit Luallen, and children Scott Luallen (Amber), Mary Lynne Roach (Ronnie), J.P. Luallen and grandchildren Phillip Luallen, Embry Luallen Alex Luallen, Ben Luallen, Wesley Roach, Elee Roach, and Lola Luallen.
Lynn joined the Air Force as a teenager and returned to attend Transylvania University where he graduated in 1964.
Lynn truly had a servant’s heart, his every action defined by humility and selflessness. He began his career in public service working in the office of Governor Julian Carroll. He went on to develop a remarkable career in the public arena focused on providing affordable housing for those who couldn’t otherwise afford safe and decent homes.
He was the founding director of the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), the state’s housing finance agency, which he was appointed to lead by Governor Carroll. He served as Executive Director of KHC under Governors Carroll, Martha Layne Collins, Brereton Jones and Paul Patton.
Lynn also served as Kentucky State Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President Bill Clinton. He left his mark in Louisville as well, joining Mayor Jerry Abramson to establish the Louisville Housing Development Corporation and later The Housing Partnership where he served two stints as its President.
Lynn was also instrumental in establishing the Federation of Appalachian Housing, a consortium of over 50 member organizations that works to provide affordable housing and community development across Appalachia. He served as its President, on its Board of Directors and in later years as an advisor and consultant.
Lynn was nationally recognized for his leadership in affordable housing, serving two terms as President of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, and as its Vice President and Secretary. He Served on the Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, The Fannie Mae Housing Impact Advisory Council and the National Association of Housing Partnerships Board.
The array of awards and recognition Lynn received is testament to the wide impact of his work. They include the Distinguished Service Award from Transylvania University, a Lifetime Achievement Award named in his honor from the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and leadership awards from The Louisville Housing Partnership, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Association and the Home Builders Association.
His work secured a better quality of life for thousands of Kentucky families and he was happiest when he was cutting a ribbon on a new home with those families. But his work impacted the state in other ways. He was especially proud of the Renaissance Kentucky program that he led under Governor Patton that improved the downtowns of nearly 100 small cities in Kentucky and the financing of Recovery Kentucky facilities across the state that continue to provide residential drug treatment services. He was also so proud of his staff and served as an important mentor to many who went on to make their own valuable contributions.
The defining characteristic of Lynn’s life was his kind and generous spirit. He had a sweet soul with caring and positive support for everyone he touched. The loves of his life were his wife of 45 years, Crit, and his wonderful children and grandchildren. He also cared deeply for brothers-in-law Sam, Jakie and Bobby Blackburn, his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, his many dear friends, his colleagues in the housing community and his 1948 Massey-Ferguson tractor.
Lynn’s loving and gentle nature was felt by so many and he leaves behind a powerful legacy. He will live on in our hearts and in the lives of the many Kentucky families he touched.
Visitation was on Monday, May 18, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 4:00 p.m. at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home in Frankfort.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky, to support their research into Alzheimer’s Disease. Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 2199 Harrodsburg Rd., Lexington, KY. 40504
Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.