Jack Gordon - from Mississippi Legislature websiteJACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi Senate leaders say longtime state Sen. Jack Gordon of Okolona has died.
Gordon died at home Saturday at age 66, surrounded by family members. He had a malignant brain tumor.
Gordon was a Democrat and chaired the powerful Appropriations Committee for 12 years, until January 2008.
He began his legislative career in the House, where he served from 1972 to 1980. He was in the Senate from 1980 to 1992, and again from 1996 until his death.
Republican Sen. Doug Davis of Hernando, who has chaired the appropriations committee since January, said Saturday evening he considered Gordon a close friend.
Davis said "Jack will be remembered as someone who loved his family, public service and the state of Mississippi." He added that "the position can be replaced but the man cannot be."
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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