Franklin "Jake" Lars Flake

Legislative Resolution

View Legislative Resolution File for Franklin "Jake" Lars Flake

Biographical Information

The following is from ALIS for the 48th Arizona State Legislature, 2nd Regular Session (2008):

Jake Flake  
Republican  District 5
Senate
1700 W. Washington
Room 307
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone Number: (602) 926-5219
Fax Number: (602) 417-3224
Email Address: [email protected]
Home City:Snowflake
Occupation: Cattle Rancher
Member Since: 1997

Franklin ‘Jake’ Flake

Franklin “Jake” Flake is a native Arizonan, who was born and raised in Snowflake, Arizona—named after his great grandfather who founded the town. The fourth of eight children, Jake learned the value of teamwork earlier in life than most. His childhood chores on the family ranch taught him that true success comes through hard work and self-sufficiency.

After graduating from Arizona State University’s first class in 1960, Jake continued working on his father’s ranch in Snowflake, eventually purchasing the operation with three of his brothers. Together, they expanded it into one of the most successful cattle operations in the Southwest United States—owning or leasing ranches and marketing bulls and heifers throughout the Southwest and Mexico.

As the great grandson of a pioneer and civic leader, Jake has always felt a duty to give back to his community.  In addition to his eight years as a State Representative, Mr. Flake has served as a board member and president of two school boards, an irrigation district, a hospital operating board, and a farm credit council’s board of directors.  He has spent eighteen years on the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America, served on the Arizona Rural Health Association Board, the Blue Ridge Natural Resources Working Group, the Arizona 4H Foundation, and the Snowflake Heritage Council.  He was appointed by Governor Hull to the Growing Smarter Commission and the Governor’s Water Management Commission.

In spite of his considerable professional accomplishments and record of public service, Jake still considers his family to be his proudest achievement.  He and his wife of over forty-five years, Mary Louise, have thirteen children and forty-five grandchildren.  A strong conservative, Jake knows that Arizona’s future lies in the strength of its families, not the size of its government.

Jake Flake looks forward to continuing his service to Arizona as a Senator from District 5.

Sen. Jake Flake died June 8, 2008 and he was replaced by Sylvia Allen who was appointed Senator from District 5 on June 13, 2008  (del Puerto, Luige. "Board chooses Allen to replace Flake."  Arizona Capitol Times, June 14, 2008 online; Journal of the Senate 48th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, p. [iii]).

The following is from the Legislative death resolution:

Senator Jake Flake passed away at the age of seventy-two on June 8, 2008 in Show Low, Arizona, from injuries he sustained after being thrown from a horse.

Franklin Lars Flake was a proud Arizonan whose roots here ran deep.  He was born to Virgil Maeser and Gerda (Hendrickson) Flake on August 4, 1935, in Snowflake, AZ.  His father gave him the nickname "Jake" when he was a baby and he continued to be known as this throughout his life.  He graduated from Snowflake High School in 1953, and later was a member of Arizona State University’s first graduating class in 1960, a fact he frequently mentioned with pride.  From 1955 though 1957, Jake Flake served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest Indian Mission.  He maintained his efforts to communicate in Indian dialects throughout his life.

On June 19, 1959, Jake Flake married Mary Louise Skouson in the L.D.S. Mesa Arizona Temple.  They went on to raise thirteen children, and became grandparents to fifty-eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  Jake Flake worked his whole life on the ranch where he was raised.  He and three of his brothers purchased the ranch from their dad, forming the F-Bar Cattle Company, which marketed Beefmaster bulls and heifers all over the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

In 1996, Jake Flake was elected to the Arizona State Legislature where he served until the time of his death.  Jake Flake served in the House of Representatives for eight years, including two years as Speaker of the House, before going on to serve two terms as state senator.  Senator Flake ably served his constituents in northeastern Arizona, and his dedication, tenacity and humor earned him the respect of all who knew him.  Jake Flake's integrity and commitment to bettering the world around him were an inspiration to many and an example to all.  He was held in high regard by his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle.

Despite the demands of his political and ranching endeavors, Jake Flake gave freely of his time, energy and expertise to numerous civic and community organizations.  He served on two school boards, an irrigation district, a hospital operating board and a farm credit council's board of directors.  He also served eighteen years on the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and volunteered on the Arizona Rural Health Association Board, the Blue Ridge Natural Resources Working Group, the Arizona 4-H Foundation and the Snowflake Heritage Council.  Jake Flake also served his church in several callings, including counselor to a Stake President and a mission President, a member of the High Council, Stake President and nursery leader.

Education

Bachelor Arts: Livestock Production Management, Arizona State University, 1960.

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: 2008 Guide to the 48th Legislature (green book), AZ birth record:  "Franklin Lars Flake"; Death: obituary:  Betty Reid and Mary Jo Pitzl.  "Longtime legislator Sen. Jake Flake dies."  The Arizona Republic, June 9, 2008; Cemetery:  funeral notice:   The Arizona Republic, June 11, 2008, p. B5

Education: 2008 Guide to the Legislature (Greenbook)