The daughter of ex-state Rep. Walter Church Sr. said he died Monday at his Valdese home at age 85. Lori Church said Tuesday her father had been diagnosed with acute myloid leukemia and began treatment in July.

 

Church was a Democrat appointed to fill a House vacancy in 1992 and served through 2008, when he lost to Republican Hugh Blackwell. Church had been chairman of the House Financial Institutions Committee.

 

The News Herald of Morganton reported Church was chief executive officer of the former Western Carolina Savings and Loan. Church's son said his father played a big role expanding Lake James State Park and Broughton Hospital.

 

Church's funeral is Thursday.