AUSTIN, Texas — Former Austin Mayor Gustavo L. "Gus" Garcia has died at the age of 84.

• Former Mayor Gus Garcia passes away
• First elected in November 2001
• Was Austin’s first elected Hispanic Mayor

Garcia was first elected in 2001 after former Mayor Kirk Watson stepped down, making him the city's first elected Hispanic mayor. He served as mayor until 2003. Previously, he spent 10 years on the Austin City Council.

“Mayor Gus Garcia was an extraordinary public servant,” Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said. "All of us should strive to emulate Mayor Garcia’s dedication to Austin.”

In 1972, he was elected to the Austin ISD Board of Trustees, making him the first Hispanic person to serve on the board. He served as board president from 1977 to 1978.

Gus Garcia Middle School opened in 2007 and became the Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy in 2014, the district's all-boys middle school in East Austin.

“Gus provided a gentle but forceful voice for public education, equal opportunity, the environment, and active participation by Hispanics in public decision-making and every aspect of our community," Rep. Lloyd Doggett said. "He has been my longtime friend, advisor, and, for many years, my personal accountant. We can best salute Gus’s valued legacy by continuing to work for an inclusive, just community that lives up to his vision of what our city can be.”

Garcia graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where he received an undergraduate degree in accounting in 1959.

He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Marina Gonzalez, and by their three sons and five grandchildren.