Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of the story incorrectly reported Wil Cardon's age. He was 46.

Condolences for Mesa businessman and politician Wil Cardon poured in over the weekend from Sen. Jeff Flake and other dignitaries.

Cardon, 46, died by suicide. He struggled for years with depression, according to a statement from his wife, Nicole.

Remembered by colleagues

Sen. Jeff Flake, a onetime political rival, on Saturday night said via Twitter that Cardon was "a good man and a good friend, gone far too soon."

Flake later tweeted a recent photo of him and Cardon together.

Gov. Doug Ducey sent prayers to Cardon's wife and the Cardon family.

"Wil was a friend and great guy," Ducey said.

Cardon's family encouraged people to remember his smile "that was as wide as Arizona," especially when it came to his five children.

"His gregarious approach to life, business, our family and his faith enriched all who were fortunate to enjoy his warm embrace," Nicole Cardon said. "I think the moments I witnessed with our children, helping a person on the side of the road, or even applying to be a high school football coach are what gave him the most joy."

She said he fought "mightily" to overcome depression.

"We are proud of how he faced this disease with openness and honesty," she said. "Today, it finally took him, as it takes far too many."

The family has asked for privacy and said funeral details were still being planned.

Cardon attended Mesa Mountain View High School, later graduating from Stanford University after transferring from Brigham Young University. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School before taking over his family’s Mesa-based real estate investment business, the Cardon Group.

Cardon ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 against Flake and for secretary of state in 2014.

Campaign consultant Constantin Querard helped Cardon with his Senate race, and said they've been friends ever since. He said he'd just spoken to him last week and was shocked at the news.

"I know his life was challenging," he said. "I can't imagine all the reasons that contributed to that."

He said Cardon had a huge heart and enormous love for his family.

"Caring for one another, for some people, is this thing they hear about on Sundays at church," Querard said. "For Wil, it was how he lived his everyday. He always talked on the campaign trail, and he taught his kids that Cardons leave things better than they find them."

He said he hopes Cardon is remembered for how he touched people's lives.

"For those whose lives he touched, he did leave their world better than he found it," he said.

Jason Rose said he's known Cardon for more than 20 years. He said Cardon introduced him to Cindy Crawford, and was a model for decency.

'He was a man that loved Arizona'

"He walked in so many different worlds," Rose said. "And he had the greatest smile."

Rose said Cardon knew Crawford and asked her to particpate in the grand opening of the Cardon Children's Medical Center in Mesa. The Cardon family donated $10 million to build the hospital.

"Wil and I picked her up at the airport. That's not something many people get a chance to do," he said, laughing. "But it was a real tribute to him that someone like that felt compelled by him to come to Arizona and celebrate his help bringing a children's hospital to life."

State Sen. Steve Montenegro was also a friend of Cardon's.

"He was a man that loved Arizona," he said. "He once told me that what Peter says about Paul says more about Peter than Paul, meaning it's always important that we speak the best about the folks around us, to always uplift and care about people."

Montenegro said he will miss Cardon, and he knows Arizona will miss him as well.

Cardon hails from a pioneer Arizona family.

The Cardon Oil Co. was founded by Wilford Pratt "Pat" Cardon, Cardon's grandfather, who died in 1969. Wilford A. Cardon, Cardon's father, is credited with growing the petroleum and gas-station business, expanding into convenience stores, and real-estate investment and development. The Cardon Group's portfolio includes Subway and Dunkin' Donuts stores, among numerous other investments.

READ MORE:

Harvey recovery will take years, FEMA chief says

5 ways the pardon of Joe Arpaio will be felt for years

Flagstaff police say deportation letters are fake