Georgians pay final respects to longtime Speaker of the House David Ralston

ATLANTA, Ga. — Hundreds of mourners gathered outside the Georgia Capitol Tuesday morning to honor a man who is revered in every corner of the state.

Family, friends and colleagues both Republican and Democrat bid farewell to David Ralston, who died last week at age 68.

He was the 73rd Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, in charge of the chamber for nearly 13 years.

Ralston’s casket lay in state in the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, where it will remain through 11 a.m. Wednesday. Family, friends and colleagues both Republican and Democrat bid farewell to the former speaker.

“Speaker Ralston led both a life and career with distinction,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Those who knew him best say he led not with an iron fist, but with a kind and guiding hand.

“It was indeed refreshing in today’s world of politics. He was a leader who was different. A notch above all others, because he cared and loved people,” Rep. David Knight said.

Some told Channel 2 Action News that “politician” wasn’t the right word to describe Ralston. He was so much more.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Georgia man accused reaching through Wendy’s drive-thru window, stealing cash
• 5 members of Georgia family, including 2 children, killed in wrong-way crash in Alabama
• 19-year-old driving stolen car shot, killed by Clayton County officer, GBI says

“He can be called by many titles. Father, husband, speaker, second most powerful man in the state. Yet, he would rather be called a country lawyer from Blue Ridge. To me, that captures the essence of the man,” Rep. Randy Nix said.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Ralston will be laid to rest in Blue Ridge on Sunday.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Suspected killer on the loose after killing DeKalb County man changing tire A metro Atlanta woman wants justice for her husband after he was shot and killed while trying to help a friend change a tire.

©2022 Cox Media Group