Owen Pickett, a longtime congressman who represented Virginia’s 2nd District from 1987 to 2001, died Wednesday night. He was 80.
“Virginia has lost one of its most respected leaders,” Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said in a statement. “Owen Pickett tirelessly served Virginia and the nation right up to the end of his life.”
Pickett, a Democrat who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1972 until 1986, made public service his passion, Gov. Bob McDonnell said.
“That passion was evident when in August he accepted my offer to co-chair our Commission on Military and National Security Facilities,” McDonnell said in a statement. “Even in his final months, knowing that his health was failing, Owen volunteered to once again serve the people of Virginia.”
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Great Neck Baptist Church in Virginia Beach.
