State Rep. Jim Patterson, R-Meridianville, died suddenly on Monday afternoon, House Speaker Mac McCutcheon confirmed to AL.com.

Patterson, 67, died from a heart attack, McCutcheon said.

McCutcheon described Patterson as "a great guy" and said the two spoke for about an hour this morning about upcoming legislation. Patterson told McCutcheon he had a doctor's appointment scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Patterson, who lived just north of Huntsville and whose House District 21 included parts of downtown Huntsville, was first elected to the legislature in 2010.

"He was a great guy," McCutcheon told AL.com. "Full of life, a hard worker and he's done some great things."

Perhaps his signature legislation was passed into law learlier this year that mandated insurance companies provide coverage for full coverage for children with autism of medically necessary applied behavioral analysis therapy by health insurance.

"He was a genuine public servant who operated without fear of the consequences," said Sam Givhan, chair of the Madison County GOP. "He did what he thought was right."

Patterson was a deacon at Flint River Baptist Church in Meridianville.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their three children.

"Representative Patterson had a huge heart and exemplified the role of a citizen-legislator. Jim was a voice for the children and the needy in our society, and that voice will be sorely missed," Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement. "My thoughts and prayers remain especially with his wife Susan and their three children during this very difficult time. They have lost a loving husband and father, and Alabama has lost a tremendous public servant. As governor, I will do all I can to help the Madison County area and our state move forward."

In a statement, McCutcheon praised "Big Jim" and the fact that his passing came hours after the deadliest shooting in U.S. history overnight in Las Vegas. McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, served with Patterson as part of the Madison County legislative delegation.

"A difficult day for all of America became even more difficult for those of us in the Alabama House who learned that our colleague, Rep. Jim Patterson of Meridianville, has passed away from a heart attack," McCutcheon's statement said. "Jim worked tirelessly for his district and celebrated his greatest legislative achievement last year when his bill requiring insurance companies to cover life-changing autism therapy was passed and signed into law.

"All of us in the Alabama State House will miss 'Big Jim' and his equally big personality. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his wife, Susan, and the rest of the Patterson family."

House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter remembered Patterson's "big laugh, big voice and big personality."

"The Alabama House Republican Caucus and each of its members will feel the loss of our colleague, Rep. Jim Patterson, for some time to come," Ledbetter said in a statement. "Rep. Patterson was defined by the hard work he devoted to serving his constituents, the thoughtfulness with which he approached each issue, and the way he tackled problems, bills, and initiatives about which he felt strongly.

"These traits were demonstrated very publicly during his successful effort to pass important autism therapy legislation that will positively affect the lives of children and families across Alabama for years to come. Rep. Patterson's big laugh, big voice, and big personality often made the more difficult days in the Alabama State House easier to handle. On behalf of the Republican Caucus, we send out thoughts and prayers for comfort to his wife, Susan, and the family that made him so very proud."

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle also offered condolences in a statement Monday.

"Representative Patterson was a great family man and community leader who will be missed for his many contributions to our area," Battle said. "We could always count on Jim to support our economic development initiatives, road projects, anything to help our community grow and prosper. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Susan, and their children."

Patterson also served three terms on the Madison County board of education from 1988-2000. He retired in 2008 after 29 years as a pharmaceutical representative of Bristol Meyers Squibb.

In a Facebook post, state Rep. Jack W. Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, described Patterson as "one of the really good guys."

"Jim was a strong voice in Montgomery for those people and causes he believed in." Williams wrote on Facebook. "Today we lost one of the really good guys -- a man who remained true to his convictions throughout his legislative service."

Patterson's big personality endeared him to those who knew him, Givhan said.

"We probably talked for an hour on multiple occasions," he said. "We'd just go on and on. And he'd say, 'Well, I've got to tell you one more thing and I've got to go' and he would go on for another 15 minutes.

"He was such a delight, such a joy and such a servant to his district and to people in Madison County."

As news of Patterson's passing spread, his Facebook page had postings from friends sharing their memories.

"The state lost a great man today," state Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, posted. "Jim Patterson loved life and I was fortunate to call him a good friend. He is having fun in Heaven right now."

Updated today, Oct. 2, 2017, at 5:42 p.m. with new information throughout.