Kenneth "Buddy" MacKay, Florida's most recent Democratic governor who took office on the death of Gov. Lawton Chiles, has died at age 91.

Former Florida Gov. Kenneth “Buddy” MacKay, 91, died peacefully during an afternoon nap at his home in Ocala surrounded by his wife and sons on New Year’s Eve, a family spokesman said Thursday.

A celebration honoring former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay will be held next Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. at Fort King Presbyterian Church in Ocala. That’s according to the Ocala Star Banner. A reception will follow the service,

A celebration of life for the late Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15, a spokesperson for the MacKay family announced. The service will be 1 p.m. "at the church he helped to build, Fort King Presbyterian," at 13 N.E. 36th Ave. in Ocala, Drew Piers said. A reception that follows also is open to the public.

TALLAHASSEE - Buddy MacKay, who lost to Jeb Bush for Florida governor in 1998 but still served 23 days in office after the sudden death of Gov. Lawton Chiles later that year, has died. He was 91.

Former Florida Gov. Buddy MacKay dead at 91

John Kennedy, Florida Capital Bureau reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper, spoke with FOX 35's Garrett Wymer about covering Buddy MacKay and how history will remember him. MacKay, 91, died on New Year's Eve at his home in Ocala.