The funeral for Fayette State Rep. Dan Lakly, R-Peachtree City, will be Friday at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Mowell Funeral Home in Peachtree City.

Lakly, 65, died Monday of a heart attack while he was hospitalized for treatment of a broken wrist, state officials said. Lakly had suffered the initial injury falling off a ladder Friday.

Lakly has a long history of public service in elected office, also serving on the Peachtree City Council and on the Fayette County Commission. Friends in government circles have fondly recalled Lakly as someone who was always willing to take a stand, no matter how unpopular it might be, just because he thought it was the right thing to do.

“That hard-nosed honesty that was Dan Lakly is something we need more of in politics,” said state Sen. Ronnie Chance of Tyrone, who served with Lakly as part of Fayette County’s legislative delegation. “He represented his district well and he spoke his mind and didn’t worry about political correctness. He would just do the right thing. He will definitely be missed.”

Lakly was also a political pioneer of sorts politically in Peachtree City. He was the first candidate to stake out spots at local highway intersections during rush hour, waving his campaign signs to get face time with motorists.

Lakly also had a sort of down-to-earth presentation about himself that even translated to the modest regular-size truck he drove about town.

Constituents have logged on to TheCitizen.com and reported that Lakly always quickly replied to their queries. He will be remembered by the Fayette County Republican Party at their breakfast meeting Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the IHOP in Fayetteville, said party chairman Josh Bonner.

Former Fayette County Commission Chairman George Patton said Lakly was instrumental in helping the county not only build Lake Horton but also acquire the current Stonewall office complex, which replaced a number of separate offices scattered about Fayetteville.

“If it wasn’t for Dan helping out with Lake Horton, the county would be out of water by now,” Patton said.

Patton also lauded Lakly for his support of building the new Margaret Mitchell Library.

The Fayette County Commission also published a statement expressing their sadness upon Lakly’s death.

“Fayette County has lost a true servant and friend,” said Commission Chairman Jack Smith. “Dan was always thoroughly prepared to discuss topics affecting Fayette County and, even if you didn’t agree with him, you usually knew exactly where he stood on the issues. That character trait was a testament to his confidence, his enthusiasm and his zeal for public service. We will not only miss his tenacious representation at the State House, but we will miss the person you could always count on to care mightily about our community and our citizens, both publicly and privately.”

Chance said he was proud to call Lakly a friend and said his legacy of service including his time in the Navy was a good legacy to leave to his children and grandchildren.

“Dan was a committed public servant,” Chance said.

That concept was echoed by Bonner.

“You will not find a more dedicated public servant than him,” Bonner said. “He always fought hard for Fayette County.”

Fayette County government offices lowered their flags to half-mast in Lakly’s memory. Friday, Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to order all state agencies to do the same.

Lakly served as the vice chairman of the house Defense & Veterans Affairs committee and also was chairman of the Information and Audits committee. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1965 and was an active member of the Peachtree City unit of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Lee, and their three grown sons, Dan, David and Donald.

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