ROXBORO — A Roxboro Democrat who served in both the state House and Senate has died.

Brooks and White Funeral Home says Gordon Phillip "Joe" Allen Sr. died Wednesday at age 81. A cause of death was not given.

Allen served in the state Senate from 1969 to 1975 and was elected president pro-tem and majority leader in 1971.

After spending the next 20 years lobbying for the N.C. Bankers Association, Allen was elected to the N.C. House in 1997, serving until 2005.

The bankers association gives out an award named for Allen. He also served as the first chairman of the Piedmont Community College board of trustees after introducing the bill in 1969 that created the school.