DALLAS, N.C. — Former North Carolina state Sen. David Hoyle, a powerful force on taxes, economic development and education within state government when Democrats last controlled the General Assembly, died on Wednesday at age 84, his son said.
Hoyle died at his home in the Gaston County seat of Dallas, where he had once elected been mayor in his 20s. His health had been declining since he suffered a stroke several years ago, according to his son David Hoyle Jr.
Hoyle served nine terms in the Senate, where he was a longtime co-chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Hoyle and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand was considered top lieutenants to then-Senate leader Marc Basnight of Dare County.
Hoyle’s hands were involved in almost every major tax and finance effort in North Carolina over a 15-year period.
A Gaston County native, Hoyle graduated from what is now Lenoir-Rhyne University in 1960. He became the Dallas mayor in 1967. He was a longtime real estate investor who served on boards of textile, banking, and construction interests. Hoyle served on the state Board of Transportation and later joined the Senate in 1993.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who served briefly with Hoyle in the Senate until 2000, said in a tweet that Hoyle “brought his practical business experience and compassion for the people of his district to the legislature, and North Carolina is a better place for his work.