The former White House press secretary and trusted advisor to former President Jimmy Carter has died. Jody Powell suffered a heart attack at his home on Maryland’s eastern shore Monday—he was 65 years old.

Powell first worked with Carter during his campaign for governor in Georgia the 1960s, then joined Carter's presidential campaign in 1976, later serving as chief White House spokesman from 1977 to 1981. Carter issued a statement late Monday calling Powell's death "a great personal loss."

After leaving the White House, Powell became one of the founders of the Powell Tate public relations firm in Washington.

A native of Vienna, Georgia, Powell attended Georgia State University and later received a masters degree in political science from Emory University.

Tags: Jimmy Carter, GA, Jody Powell, White House, press secretary, Vienna