WASHINGTON, VA—On August 9, actor, writer, and politician, Benjamin Lewis Jones known for his role as, Cooter Davenport, in the television series, “The Dukes of Hazzard” died at his Virginia home at the age of 84.

Jones was born into a family of railroad workers in Edgecombe County, North Carolina on August 30, 1941. His father, Hubert C. “Buck,” Jones was a section Forman for the railroad, and his mother, Ila Virginia Stephens was the daughter of another section Forman. Within two weeks, his family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia.

They lived without running water and electricity. Jones worked at the railroad to pay for his college. In 1960, he entered East Carolina College, which is now East Carolina University, in 1961 and was accepted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina for his exceptional writing ability.

During the school year, he excelled in academics, and at Chapel Hill, Jones discovered his acting ability. He starred in 100 theatrical productions in locations such as: The Kennedy Center, Alliance Theatre, The Atlanta Children’s Theatre, The Theater of the Stars, The Winter Playhouse, and Berkshire Theatre Festival.

After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, Jones toured with Eva Marie Saint working in national productions of, “Summer and Smoke” and “Desire Under the Elms” among others. He won the role of Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed. He worked with James Earl Jones and Richard Pryor, and Tim Conway in, “They Went That-A-Way and That-A-Way.”

Jones starred in “Moonrunners” in 1975, and in “The Dukes of Hazzard” from 1979-1985.

 Jones (D-GA) served two terms in the House of Representatives for Georgia’s 4th district (1989-1993). Following his time in Congress, he spent time visiting “Dukes of Hazzard,” themed museums and stores in Nashville, Pigeon Forge, TN, Hazard, Kentucky, and Luray, VA.

He lived near a Dukes of Hazzard store in Luray, Virginia, and played in “Cooters Garage Band.”

According to Alma Viator, Jones died of a massive heart attack. They were married for 34 years.

“I lost the love of my life today. Ben passed, from a massive heart attack. He was home resting on his favorite chair waiting for the Braves to come on and whoop the Yankees. Ben had the most amazing rich full life. He loved and was loved by so many. He will be missed. I loved him so, so, much,” Viator posted on Facebook.