TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Florida House Republican Leader Jim Tillman has died at the age of 77.
Tillman's ex-wife, Jane Tillman, says the former state representative and lobbyist died Wednesday at his home in Tallahassee after a long illness.
Tillman served in the House from 1967 through 1974. He helped pass the Baker Act that's designed to protect the rights of people with mental illness and legislation that sent alcoholics to detox facilities instead of prison.
Tillman also served as a Leon County Sheriff's deputy and as a counselor in Sarasota County's Juvenile Court. He was born June 23, 1935, in Adel, Ga., but grew up in Florida. He served in the Air Force before graduating from Florida State University in 1961.
He is survived by his third wife and six children.