Created: 7/27/2009 5:29:45 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- State Senator Jim King is being remembered as a public servant who acted to help protect and preserve the natural resources of the First Coast.
King, 69, died Sunday from pancreatic cancer.
Last week, King was notably absent from the AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. For more than 20 years, King emceed the Jacksonville tradition with wit and humor.
Bob Gipson, who serves as the tournament's executive director, says King was instrumental in securing the Sisters Creek location for the tournament.
"All the fishermen are used to having Jim sitting up there and calling them by name," said Gipson.
King also was instrumental in helping spearhead and develope a 10-year, $700 million plan to give new life to the St. Johns River.
Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon says the First Coast lost a "champion" who cared about the health of the river.
"Senator King once said what we need is a constant stream of money to restore the river," said Armingeon.
"Jim looked into the future and saw what this river could be and should be."
Both Armingeon and Gipson say it will be tough to replace someone like Senator King who had the passion and ability to get things done.
Read More:
Jim King Remembered For Humor and Passion
2003: Jim King Remebered
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