CHARLESTON — Delegate Dale Martin, a folksy, down-to-earth lawmaker with an ever-present smile and a penchant for cutting to the chase on sticky highway issues, was found dead Wednesday. He was 59.

First elected to the House of Delegates in 2000, he headed the House Roads and Transportation Committee, often dealing with such controversial issues as all-terrain vehicle safety and cell phone use in traffic.

Martin was found dead in his truck in South Charleston. While foul play isn’t suspected, as a matter of procedure for an unattended death, his body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office to ascertain how he died.

His untimely death prompted reactions from across the state.

Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin ordered all state flags to fly at half-staff to honor the delegate.

“Throughout his public service, Dale’s commitment to his constituents, and all West Virginians, was exemplary,” Tomblin said.

“Dale was a personal friend of mine, and I am deeply saddened by his untimely passing.”

Delegate Margaret Staggers, D-Fayette, who served as co-chair of the roads committee, called his death “a horrible shock.”

“As far as I was concerned, he was a young man with a lot of future and a lot of years left to serve the state,” she said.

“He just understood the system and worked within the system and knew how to get things done and taught me a lot. He was a great mentor. I’m going to miss him. West Virginia has lost a good and faithful servant of the people.”

House Minority Leader Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, likewise served on Martin’s committee and called him both a friend and a colleague.

“I appreciated his friendship and his dedication to our state,” Armstead said.

“He will be deeply missed, not only by his family, but also by his fellow members of the House of Delegates.”

A freshman legislator in the 27th District, Delegate John O’Neal, R-Raleigh, only knew Martin for the brief time since the session began, but said, “I found him to be passionate about the issues he cared about, but cordial to those who disagreed with him.”

Arrangements were pending, and the Martin family, through the Democratic Party, issued a brief statement, thanking all for the expressions of sympathy, and adding, “Please respect the family’s privacy in this difficult time.”

“This news is just devastating,” said Delegate Virginia Mahan, D-Summers. “He was such a great character.”

Mahan remembered him as “a hard-working, energetic representative” for his constituents in the 13th District, comprised of Putnam, Mason and Jackson counties.

“He loved his work, both in and out of the statehouse, and had many, many friends among the membership and staff. I am shocked and saddened by the loss of my friend and colleague.”

Martin was a leader in the House labor caucus, owing to his membership in the AFL-CIO and former employment at Union Carbide Corp.

Before he was elevated to his leadership role, House Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, once shared an East Wing office with the delegate.

“It is with a heavy heart that I join members of the House of Delegates in mourning the loss of our great friend and colleague, Dale Martin,” Thompson said.

“Dale and I have served together in the House for the past 11 years, and I always knew him to be a dedicated statesman who represented his district with great pride and energy.”

State Democratic Chairman Larry Puccio said he was “saddened” to learn of Martin’s passing.

“Our sympathies go out to his wife, Helen, and son, Josh, in this most difficult time,” Puccio said.

“I considered him a personal friend, and he will be sorely missed.”

Delegate Rick Moye, D-Raleigh, pointed to the unusual number of deaths in recent years in the Legislature — among them, Senate Minority Leader Don Caruth, R-Mercer, and Delegates Sam Argento, D-Nicholas, and Bill Proudfoot, D-Randolph.

Moye would, at times, share meals with Martin and remembered him as a congenial colleague with an insight on how to get legislation enacted.

“He was just down to earth, a normal kind of person, the type of what you want, I think, in a legislator,” Moye said.

“He was easy to get hold of. He took care of his constituents. He cared about people. He will be missed in his district.”

Martin was embroiled in a number of controversial matters as head of the roads panel, among them the proposed outlawing of text messaging on cell phones while driving.

As the session wound down, the House let die a Senate bill that would have made failure to wear a seat belt a primary offense in West Virginia, which Martin felt was unnecessary, based on the general acceptance of the safety devices. The seat belt provision had been added to a measure outlawing texting while driving.

“Delegate Martin was a valued member, and we will miss him very much,” Majority Leader Brent Boggs, D-Braxton, said in a statement.

“Dale and I served together for many years, and I know how diligently he worked to make West Virginia a better place for future generations.”

Majority Whip Mike Caputo, D-Marion, remembered that Martin worked tirelessly for his constituents.

“As a union represeentative, I also considered him a great friend of labor who cared deeply about the working class,” Caputo said, adding the House has “lost a vital member.”

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., issued a statement late Wednesday, mourning Martin and offering prayers for his family.

“I knew Dale for many years and always respected his steadfast dedication to the people of Putnam, Mason and Jackson counties,” Manchin said. “Dale was a strong man who stood up for what he believed in, never wavering. While Dale truly will be missed, his commitment and determination to the people of West Virginia will forever live in our hearts.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com