JEFFERSON CITY — Stalwarts of Missouri politics from both parties gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday to honor a stalwart of his own, former governor and U.S. senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond.

He died a week ago in St. Louis.

"When a name like Kit Bond's is spoken, it moves people," Gov. Mike Kehoe said in his welcoming address to the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda. "His legacy inspires action. And, for Kit, it was not prestige that mattered to him. It was the people of Missouri."

Bond helped launch the careers of several successful Missouri Republicans during his time in the many offices he held, including John Ashcroft, a former U.S. attorney general, U.S. senator and Missouri governor.

"Our lives are better here in the Show-Me State, and America is the beneficiary of his life of doing," Ashcroft said as part of his eulogy. "Not just saying, but doing."

Former Missouri governors Mike Parson and Matt Blunt were also at the Capitol to honor Bond, along with former U.S. senators Roy Blunt, John Danforth and Claire McCaskill.

Emanuel Cleaver, a U.S. representative from the Kansas City area, also delivered a eulogy to honor Bond.

"I am a Democrat, and I never campaigned against my friend," Cleaver said of the lifelong Republican. "We may have been, in some ways, political opponents. But, never did we attack each other."

Bond is survived by his wife, Linda, and his son.

"To Linda and family, on behalf of the state of Missouri, I express our heartfelt prayers and sympathy," Gov. Mike Kehoe said. "These last few days have been hard. The next few days and weeks will be harder still. But, with time and God's grace, we all pray that the pain and sorrow you now feel will soon be replaced by wonderful memories of a great man and a life well lived."

Bond will lie in state in the Missouri Capitol Rotunda until 1 p.m. Wednesday, when the Missouri State Highway Patrol will escort his casket back to St. Louis.

There will be a service for him at the Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Bond was 86 years old.