Longtime state lawmaker Cary Allred dies at 64

A former North Carolina lawmaker from Alamance County died in Greensboro Friday night, according to the Rich and Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington.

Cary Allred, a Republican, had been in politics since the 1980s, serving two terms as state senator before becoming a state representative. He resigned from the House last year amid an investigation into misconduct.

He died at Moses Cone Hospital following a brief illness. He was 64.

House Speaker Thom Tillis called Allred a "dedicated public servant" in a statement Saturday and said legislators' thoughts and prayers were with Allred's family.

"Allred was a fighter for what he thought was good for Alamance County and for North Carolina. And he did it in his own unique way," House Minority Leader Joe Hackney said.