Ben Jones, best known for playing the beloved mechanic Cooter Davenport on the hit series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 84.

Jones died Sunday after suffering a massive heart attack, according to his wife, Alma Viator, who shared the heartbreaking news on social media.

“I lost the love of my life today,” Viator wrote, remembering her husband as someone who lived an incredibly rich and fulfilling life. She said Jones was at home resting in his favorite chair, waiting to watch the Atlanta Braves take on the New York Yankees.

“He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed,” she wrote.

For millions of television viewers, Jones will forever be remembered as Cooter Davenport, the friendly mechanic and owner of Cooter’s Place on The Dukes of Hazzard. He appeared throughout all seven seasons of the CBS series, which ran from 1979 through 1985 and became one of the era’s most recognizable television hits.

Jones also built an extensive acting résumé beyond the iconic series, appearing in productions including Smokey and the Bandit, Moonrunners and As the World Turns.

But his life eventually took a dramatic turn away from Hollywood and into politics.

In 1988, Jones successfully ran for Congress in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District. He won reelection in 1990 and served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before losing his 1994 race to Newt Gingrich.

News of his death quickly prompted tributes from former Dukes of Hazzard castmates and friends.

Tom Wopat, who played Luke Duke, remembered Jones as an important part of the show’s family and a close friend.

“The Dukes of Hazzard lost another integral part of their cast today,” Wopat wrote, describing Jones as “a fine friend” and a passionate advocate for the entertainment industry.

He also recalled a line once associated with Denver Pyle, who played Uncle Jesse, adding that Jones’ death felt like losing a member of the Duke family.

The Dukes of Hazzard remained a major part of American pop culture long after its original seven-season run ended. The series was eventually revived as a 2005 action-comedy film starring Jessica Simpson, Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott.

For fans who grew up watching the original series, however, Jones will always be remembered as Cooter — the good-natured mechanic who became one of the show’s most familiar faces.

His passing marks the loss of another beloved figure from a television classic that defined an era.