By the Associated Press
MONTGOMERY — Retired 10-term U.S. Rep. Jack Edwards of Alabama, who was in the first wave of Deep South Republicans, died Friday. His was 91.
His family said through a spokesman that Edwards died at his home in Fairhope after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Edwards was first elected to the U.S. House in 1965 as part of the first wave of Alabama Republicans elected to Congress as the party gained traction in the Deep South. He served 10 terms in Congress.
In a statement released by his family, they said Edwards described his hopes for a return to civility when recently asked what kind of world he would like to leave his great grandchildren.
“My hope is that my great grandchildren will grow up in a country where civility will have been returned 
to common discourse and to the efforts to solve the country’s problems,” Edwards said according to the family statement.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Edwards served his state and nation with the highest degree of integrity. The governor said flags at the Alabama Capitol will be placed at half-staff in his honor.
“He was the epitome of a true public servant and was the ultimate statesman for Alabama. Our state has lost one of our finest,” Ivey said in a statement.
