Former Gov. & US Senator Jay Rockfeller dead at 89

Former West Virginia Governor and longtime U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, who served the state for more than four decades, has died at the age of 89. Rockefeller is remembered for his work in health care, support for retired coal miners and efforts to bring economic development to West Virginia.

WASHINGTON Former West Virginia Governor and longtime U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller has died at the age of 89.

Rockefeller died Thursday evening at his home in Washington, D.C., surrounded by family.

A Democrat, Rockefeller served as West Virginia's governor from 1977 to 1985 before representing the state in the U.S. Senate for 30 years.

During his decades in public service, Rockefeller championed health care access, benefits for retired coal miners and economic development, including efforts to bring Toyota to West Virginia.

He first came to West Virginia in 1964 as an anti-poverty volunteer.

Governor Patrick Morrisey says the state has lost a man who devoted much of his life to serving West Virginia and its people.

Morrisey has ordered U.S. and West Virginia flags at state facilities to fly at half-staff through sunrise Friday, November 13.