BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Accolades began rippling through the Internet Sunday as word spread of the sudden death of seven-term State Sen. Pat Lindsey.

Lindsey, 72, of Butler was found dead in his bed while on a hunting trip with State Sen. Roger Bedford, Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. and others.

Funeral services were Wednesday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Butler. Burial will be in Butler City Cemetery.

Lindsey served his first senate term in 1966. He became a knowledgeable and powerful legislator and served on more than a dozen committees, including chairing the Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Elections Committee.

His district in southwest Alabama includes all of Escambia and Washington counties and parts of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Mobile and Monroe counties.

Baldwin County Commissioner Frank Burt, a friend of Lindsey for more than 15 years, described the legislator as a quiet and dedicated public servant.

“He was a great friend of Baldwin County and his word was his bond,” Burt said. “If I asked him a question, there was a quick answer.

“He was quiet and didn’t like being in the forefront. Once you got to know him, his great sense of humor showed and he loved to talk about hunting, football and politics.”

Commission chairman David Bishop noted that the panel honored Lindsey by resolution for his legislative efforts.

“If he said he would do something, he would,” Bishop said. “He was down to earth and could get things done. He probably knew more about the law in Alabama than any of us.”

Burt said he last saw Lindsey before the Christmas holidays.

“The only thing he talked about was his grandchildren,” Burt said. “He was so proud. He had entered a new era of life with his love for them.”

Congressman Artur Davis called Lindsey a fierce advocate for causes he cared about.

“Pat believed that our policies and our social values ought to reward work and family, and he fought to give the people of West Alabama a chance at the dignity that all Alabamians deserve,” Davis said.

“Politics and public service will miss Pat Lindsey.”

Lindsey received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Alabama and also graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law.