D.L. "Bud" Catlin, who devoted his life to public service and was the longest-serving Taylorsville City Council member, has died.

Catlin, 77, helped get facilities built in the west-side community, including City Hall and the Senior Center, and pushed to have streetlights installed in all neighborhoods. Concerned for the safety of students, he was instrumental in getting a sidewalk and fence put in on the north side of the road by Fremont Elementary School.

Councilman Larry Johnson said Tuesday in a written statement that Catlin taught him a lot and that he will be missed.

"Bud loved serving the people of Taylorsville," Johnson said. "He had a great sense of humor and had me laughing a lot. He always talked about his family — as they were all very special to him. Most of all, he had a deep and abiding love for his wife, Donna."

Catlin, who served in the U.S. Army and retired as a captain from the Highway Patrol, was on the city council as its District 1 representative for 14 years, from January 1998 through December 2011. He and his wife moved to Taylorsville in 1989, seven years before it was incorporated as a city. He died late Monday.

"Bud was an outspoken advocate for his constituents and for the city," Taylorsville Mayor Russ Wall said. "I will miss him, as my friend."