Senator Flake, 72, who died today after suffering a massive heart attack at his home near Snowflake. Prior to his service on the State Legislature for the past 11 years including a stint as Arizona speaker of the House, he was 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.
Flake was resting at his ranch in eastern Arizona from a horse riding accident over the Memorial Day weekend that left him with eight broken ribs and internal bleeding. Despite that, he vowed to return to work at the Legislature before the session ended this month.
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has released this statement regarding the loss of Arizona statesman Senator Jake Flake:
"Jake Flake was a leader of great strength and wisdom, who worked with passion on behalf of the people of Arizona. Our hearts and prayers are with his family as they mourn his loss."