State Rep. Stan Mayfield, 52, Dies of Cancer

State Rep. Stan Mayfield, 52, who represented Vero Beach in the Florida Legislature, died September 30th after a 16-month battle with cancer.

Mayfield was first elected to the State House in 2000. His district included parts of Indian River, St. Lucie and Brevard Counties.

After serving four terms in the Legislature, he won the Republican Primary in August and with no Democratic opposition was set to be Indian River County's next tax collector.

Mayfield, a professional engineer and former assistant superintendent of schools in St. Lucie County, announced in March 2007 that he had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

He received experimental treatments at M. D. Anderson in Houston, which initially were successful, and soon returned to legislative activities.

But after the 2008 legislative session, he discovered that the cancer was progressing once again, and just over a week ago, he entered hospice care.

House Speaker Marco Rubio, in an e-mail Tuesday to legislators and staff, said "it is with great sadness that I inform you that our friend and colleague has passed away. He was surrounded by family and friends."

Mayfield is survived by his wife Deborah, who is seeking his legislative seat, and sons Evan, Samuel and Coleman.