Arkansas Sen. Gary Stubblefield, a Franklin County farmer and longtime lawmaker known for his toughness and community service, has died at age 74.

Sen. Gary Stubblefield, a Branch Republican who served a dozen years in the Arkansas Senate, died Tuesday at the age of 74. The cause of death was unknown, said Senate Information Officer John Reed, who confirmed Stubblefield’s passing to the Advocate Tuesday morning.

State Sen. Gary Stubblefield, a dairy farmer from Branch who played football at the University of Arkansas, died Tuesday morning, the Senate announced Tuesday. He was 74.