The Amarillo Republican served in the Texas Senate for 15 years before President George W. Bush appointed Bivins to be the U.S. ambassador to Sweden in 2004. Bivins had been one of Bush's most successful fundraisers during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. He stepped down from the diplomatic post for health reasons in early 2006.
While in the Legislature, Bivins rose to chair the powerful Senate Finance Committee and was a member of the Legislative Budget Board. Before going to the Senate, Bivins worked as a businessman and cattleman.
He graduated from Tulane University and earned a law degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
Funeral arrangements are pending. He was 61.
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