RALEIGH, N.C. – Heman Clark is being remembered by former colleagues as a respected man who improved North Carolina during his life.

The former prosecutor, Superior Court judge and state Cabinet secretary died Friday at the age of 93 at his Raleigh home. His widow told The News & Observer of Raleigh he died after having two strokes recently.

Then-Gov. Luther Hodges appointed Clark as a judge in 1958. Nearly 25 years later, Gov. Jim Hunt named him crime control and public safety secretary. Hunt said Sunday that Clark helped make “North Carolina a safer and fairer state.”

Clark also served as Cumberland County attorney and chairman of the county Democratic Party.

The L. Harold Poole Funeral Service and Crematory says Clark’s memorial service is set for Wednesday at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.