Flags in the State of Utah will be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor of state Sen. Ed Mayne, who died Sunday.

"Senator Mayne served honorably and selflessly in an effort to make Utah a better place for all Utahns," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said. "One could always count on Senator Mayne to stand up for those who could not defend themselves."

Huntsman has directed that the U.S. flag and the Utah state flag be lowered to half-staff on all state owned facilities on Friday, which is the date he will be buried.

Mayne will lie in state in the Utah State Senate Chambers tonight, where a viewing will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

"All state citizens are invited and welcome to come and pay their respects to this great man," said Ric Cantrell, a spokesman for the Utah State Senate.

Mayne, D-West Valley, was elected to represent Utah's 5th senate district in 1994. He served as the Democrats' assistant minority whip.

"Ed was a giant of a man ... in his passion for the working men and women of this nation," said Senate President John Valentine in a statement on the Utah Senate Web site. "Ed's humor, life and work touched so many people on both sides of the aisle and throughout the state."

Mayne was able to argue for his beliefs while still being a gentleman, Valentine said.

The Deseret Morning News referred to Mayne as a "lifelong champion of labor and the underprivileged." Mayne had served as the president of the Utah AFL-CIO.

Mayne was a graduate of Granger High School and the University of Utah. He received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College.

Earlier this year, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, which eventually took his life at the age of 62.

According to the Deseret Morning News, prominent leaders from both parties have suggested that Mayne's wife Karen should be appointed to fill his seat. The Utah Democratic Party Central Committee will make recommendations to Huntsman on whom to appoint.

After the governor makes an appointment, the Democrats will hold a meeting to determine who will be the new assistant minority whip.