Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced the death of a former governor and U.S. senator on Tuesday. Kehoe's office announced that Christopher S. "Kit" Bond died on Tuesday at the age of 86. Bond served as Missouri's governor from 1973 to 1977 and from 1981 to 1985. He then went on to the U.S. Senate, where he was elected in 1986. He was reelected in 1992, 1998 and 2004. Roy Blunt followed his term. "Kit Bond was a skilled statesman, public servant, and a man who truly loved Missouri. I am blessed to have known Kit and honored to call him a friend and a mentor," Kehoe said in a statement. "Kit, always with his trademark smile and sense of humor, was a fierce advocate for Missouri throughout his accomplished 40-year career of public service. Kit kept Missouri맥스카지노�s interests at heart, both in office and out, making our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. "Whenever he was thanked for his service, Kit's response was always, 'Serving the people of Missouri was the honor of my life.'" Kehoe offered his deepest condolences to Bond's family. He ordered U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff starting Tuesday until Bond is laid to rest. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said he and his wife were praying for Bond's family. "What a champion for Missouri," Hawley wrote on social media. "He served his state and his nation with the utmost distinction for decades - and he was above all a fine man." U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt also offered his prayers, calling Bond a "legendary" senator. "He helped improve the lives of generations of Missourians across the Show Me State," Schmitt said in a statement.