State Sen. Jake Flake, (R)-District 5, died at his Snowflake home Sunday when he suffered a heart attack while attempting to get up from a fall. Flake was recuperating from a previous fall off a horse about two weeks ago that broke multiple ribs.

Flake has served in the Arizona Legislature since 1997, beginning with the state House of Represent-atives. He was the speaker of the House for 2003/04.

Born in Snowflake, a town founded by his great-grandfather, Flake was a constant supporter of agriculture and rural Arizona.

State Sen. Jake Flake

Safford Mayor Ron Green said his death is a tragic loss to Flake’s district, which includes Graham County.

“He’s been a great friend to Safford,” Green said. “He’s attended many events here, including the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. It is a tragic loss to the district and all of Arizona.”

State speaker of the House Jim Weiers, (R)-Phoenix, spoke fondly of Flake as well.

“Jake was one of the last of the famed cowboy legislators,” Weiers wrote. “His country drawl, ranch-spun stories and devotion to rural life so few of us in the Legislature know always made a conversation with Jake a learning experience. We will miss him, and Arizona will miss his experience. It was great knowing him and serving the people of Arizona with him. My thoughts are with his family, and I pray they will get through this difficult time knowing how much Jake was adored.”

Flake’s Legislature Web page states he had always felt a duty to give back to his community. In addition to his time with the Legislature, Flake also served as a board member and president of two school boards, an irrigation district, a hospital operating board and a farm credit council’s board of directors among many other achievements.

According to his Web page, Flake is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Mary Louise, 12 of 13 children and more than 45 grandchildren.

Flake was running unopposed for re-election this fall. The Navajo County Board of Supervisors will appoint a replacement to fill the last few months of Flake’s term.

State Rep. Bill Konopnicki, (R)-District 5, said Flake was a family man who stood up for rural Arizona.

“Jake Flake was a wonderful legislator and true friend of all of rural Arizona,” he said. “We’re going to miss him, and he left some huge shoes to fill, but right now we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Chairman of the Mount Graham Republican Party Duane Rhodes told the Courier a great asset to Graham County and all of Arizona has been lost. He said his party will have to look hard to find a quality candidate to replace him.

There will be a memorial service for Flake on June 11, 1:30 p.m., at the LDS Phoenix East Stake Center, 1835 E. Missouri, Phoenix. The funeral services are June 13, 11 a.m., at the Snowflake Main Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. June 12 at the above Snowflake site.