Officials laud Richardson at Capitol service

(Update: Funeral held, comments by Gov. Brown)

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Top public officials in Oregon heralded Secretary of State Dennis Richardson as a faithful public servant in front of hundreds of mourners who came together across party lines to remember Oregon’s top elections official.

A state funeral was held for Richardson on Wednesday in the House of Representatives. He died at age 69 late last month following a battle with brain cancer.

Democratic Gov. Kate Brown said Richardson left a legacy “kindness, respect and civility,” one she said is especially “important one in today’s world.”

Richardson was given a farewell ceremony with full military honors following the funeral.

As secretary of state, Republican Richardson held the second-highest office in the state after the governor. Democratic Gov. Kate Brown is expected to name his successor in the coming weeks.

Earlier, lawmakers held hands and sang “Amazing Grace” as part of their final tribute to Richardson.

Hundreds paid their respects to Richardson as his body was lying in state in the Capitol prior to to the funeral.

It was Oregon’s first state funeral since 1983.