Former Arizona lawmaker Rep. James Sedillo died overnight at his Flagstaff home. He was 58.

Mr. Sedillo, a Democrat, served in the House for two years, representing Flagstaff and parts of northern Arizona until 2003. In January of that year, he was appointed to manage the Department of Environmental Quality’s northern Arizona office in Flagstaff.

Mr. Sedillo died in his sleep, said ADEQ Director Steve Owens, who spoke with Sedillo’s family on Sunday morning.

“He was a wonderful man, a dear friend and a terrific public servant,” Mr. Owens said.

Mr. Sedillo was well known in northern Arizona, where he was born and reared. He had a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, was a Vietnam veteran and served as a justice of the peace in Coconino County’s Flagstaff District from 1981 to 2000.

Mr. Sedillo also served as a campaign co-chair for The United Way of Northern Arizona, helping the nonprofit raise $1 million in 2003.

“He was a gentle man of high integrity and compassion,” said Gene Westerhaus, a friend of 30 years who worked on Mr. Sedillo’s statehouse campaign. “His passing will have a real impact on civic life up here.”

Mr. Sedillo is survived by a son and three daughters.