WOODVILLE — Family members said on Tuesday they had removed from life support Holmes Sturgeon, former Wilkinson County prosecuting attorney and candidate for Sixth District Circuit Court Judge.

“For those of you who don’t know, my father Holmes Sturgeon has been in a coma for a week now,” Holmes Sturgeon’s son, Walker Sturgeon, posted on social media Tuesday. “We made the decision to take him off of life support this afternoon. All prayers for my father and family will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

Holmes Sturgeon, Walker Sturgeon said, was admitted to the hospital Oct. 3.

“He had a bad case of strep throat and an asthma attack, and the combo cut off oxygen,” Walker Sturgeon said, adding the lack of oxygen killed brain cells and his father had been on life support for several days.

Holmes Sturgeon, who turned 55 in August, Walker Sturgeon said, was born and raised in Woodville and earned a law degree from Ole Miss before returning to Woodville to join his father’s law firm, Sturgeon and Sturgeon, and later becoming the Wilkinson County Prosecutor.

“He was the county prosecutor for nearly 30 years,” Walker said.

Holmes Sturgeon’s father was Alonzo Sturgeon who was the area’s district attorney for four terms.

Most recently, Holmes Sturgeon, Walker Sturgeon said, was focused on running for a Circuit Court judge position against Debra Blackwell, assistant district attorney for District Attorney Ronnie Harper.

“It looked like it was going to be a competitive race,” said Walker Sturgeon, who followed his father’s footsteps in attending Ole Miss, but now lives in DeSoto County and teaches school in Memphis while he pursues a Ph.D. in history.

Walker Sturgeon said his father would be missed.

“He was dedicated to his town,” Walker Sturgeon said. “He was a little like that guy from ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ He was fiercely devoted to his town and everyone in it. He was a loyal family man and a devout Christian.”