JACKSONVILLE, Florida (BNO NEWS) – Former President of the Florida Senate Jim King died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer, a spokeswoman said. He was 70 years old.

“It is with great sadness that the King family informs you of the passing of former Senate President James E. “Jim” King, Jr. President King battled his final campaign as he did all others - with a fighter’s heart and with humor and humility,” family spokeswoman Sarah Bascom said in a statement. “Many throughout the state of Florida will feel they are better for having known him,” he added.

King passed away after a battle with cancer. He served in the Florida Senate from 1999 until he died on Sunday, serving as President of the Florida Senate from 2002 to 2004, as well as Majority Leader of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

King also served in the Florida House of Representatives for 12 years prior to his election the Senate. His passing brings a close to 23 years of public service in which he was one of the longest serving members of the Florida Legislature.

One of his notable achievements is the Death with Dignity law. It gives competent adults the right to make their own decision about treatment during illness.

“Mrs. James King and the King family are specially appreciative of all the many loving prayers throughout his illness,” Bascom said.

King is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Linda Braddock King; his two daughters - Monta Bolles, of Tampa and Laurie Anne Dolan, of Gainesville; son in laws Major Chuck Bolles and Rick Dolan and three grandchildren, Carley Elizabeth Bolles, Jack Bolles and Ashley Dolan.

Memorial services will be held at the St. John’s Cathedral in Jacksonville, on Saturday, August 1, 2009, at 11:00 am and in Tallahassee at the State Capitol, House Chambers, on Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at 2:00 pm.

The King family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jim King’s honor to either the James & Esther King Biomedical Research Foundation or the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.

Donations to the Research Foundation should be made out to The Florida Department of Health with “James & Esther King Biomedical Research Foundation” noted in the memo portion and mailed to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Revenue Management, 4052 Bald Cyprus Way, B/ 20, Tallahassee, Fl 32399.

Donations to the Community Hospice should be made out to the Community Hospice Foundation, with “Jim King” noted in the memo portion and mailed to the Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257.