Atlanta ? Hamilton Jordan, a political strategist from south Georgia who helped propel Jimmy Carter to the White House and served as his chief of staff, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Jordan, 63, died at his home in Atlanta about 7:30 p.m., said Gerald Rafshoon, who was Carter’s chief of communications.

“He was a great strategist. He just couldn’t strategize his way out of this,” Rafshoon said from his home in Washington.

Jordan’s battle with cancer began 22 years ago, when he was diagnosed with lymphoma, followed by bouts with melanoma and prostate cancer.

Rafshoon said a memorial service was planned Friday at The Carter Center in Atlanta and Carter would attend.

Carter said in a statement that he and his wife, Rosalynn, “are deeply saddened.”