Former Michigan lawmaker Joe Young Jr., who followed his father into politics and represented Detroit and nearby suburbs for 24 years in the state House and Senate, has died. He was 61.

Close family friend Brandi Boone of Dimondale told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Young had a fatal heart attack June 12 in Wisconsin, where he was living. He served in the Michigan House from 1979-1994 and in the Senate from 1995-2002.

Born Nov. 4, 1950, Young graduated from Nativity Diocesan High School in Detroit and Michigan State University. He attended Cooley Law School and earned a master's degree from Western Michigan University.

His funeral is set for 11 a.m. Monday at Nativity of the Lord Parish in Detroit. The family will be receiving callers at 10 a.m.