State Sen. Greg Kirk, Republican From Americus, Dies

Officials say Georgia state Sen. Greg Kirk has died. The Senate announced the death on Sunday.

The Senate Press Office says Kirk died after battling cancer.

Kirk, a Republican from Americus, had represented Georgians in District 13 in south Georgia since 2014.

Senate officials say he had served as a senior pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Americus and was a licensed professional counselor.

Kirk had a passion for helping those less fortunate, the press office said in a statement.

“A man of outstanding character, and one who was a champion for doing what is right, made him one of our most fervent leaders and also one of our most gracious,” it said.

House Speaker David Ralston said Kirk “devoted his life to glorifying God and building up his community.

“He had a servant’s heart and a compassionate spirit,” Ralston said in a statement.

In June, he announced his diagnosis of bile duct cancer.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced on Sunday.