Fred Thompson dies at 73

Tennessee state line

There is sad news out of the Volunteer State. A great American passed away today.

From the Tennessean:

Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator for Tennessee, GOP presidential candidate, Watergate attorney and longtime "Law and Order" star, has died.

Mr. Thompson, 73, died on Sunday from after a recurrence of lymphoma, according to a statement issued from the Thompson family.

"It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of grief that we share the passing of our brother, husband, father, and grandfather who died peacefully in Nashville surrounded by his family," the statement reads.

"Fred once said that the experiences he had growing up in small-town Tennessee formed the prism through which he viewed the world and shaped the way he dealt with life. Fred stood on principle and common sense, and had a deep love for and connection with the people across Tennessee whom he had the privilege to serve in the United States Senate. He enjoyed a hearty laugh, a strong handshake, a good cigar, and a healthy dose of humility. Fred was the same man on the floor of the Senate, the movie studio, or the town square of Lawrenceburg, his home.

I was lucky to see Thompson speak at a bloggers' gathering in St. Paul during the 2008 Republican National Convention.

Rest in peace, patriot.