Evan Mecham
General Information
- Male
- May 12, 1924
- Duchesne, Duchesne Co., UT, USA
- February 21, 2008
- Mesa, Maricopa Co., AZ, USA
- National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona
Legislative Resolution
View Legislative Resolution File for Evan MechamBiographical Information
The following is from the Legislative death resolution:
The Honorable Evan Mecham died on February 21, 2008 at the age of eighty-three.
Born on May 12, 1924 in Duchesne, Utah, Evan Mecham was one of six children of Adelbert and Ina Mecham. He grew up on a country farm, the youngest of five sons. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces at the age of eighteen and eventually earned his pilot's license. He flew photo reconnaissance and fighter escort missions over Europe during World War II. On March 7, 1945, he was shot down over Germany and was held as a prisoner of war until liberated by General Patton's army shortly before the war ended in Europe. Evan Mecham returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Florence Lambert, on June 11, 1945 at the LDS temple in Salt Lake City.
Evan Mecham successfully operated a Pontiac agency in Ajo, Arizona before moving the franchise to Glendale in 1954. He distinguished himself as a successful businessman and automobile dealer before being elected to the Arizona Senate in 1960 where he served one term. He published his own newspaper, the Evening American, from 1963 to 1973, and in 1986 he was elected as Governor of Arizona. During his term, he was successful in his efforts to stop tax increases, reestablish the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures, reform the civil court system and expand the state's health care program for the poor to provide long-term care for elderly and disabled individuals. He was also instrumental in uniting the nation's governors to urge Congress to repeal the 55 mph speed limit. Though his tenure was fraught with controversy, Evan Mecham met the challenges of adversity head on and remained committed to his unwavering beliefs in states’ rights and personal freedoms.
Following his departure from politics, Evan Mecham wrote several books. He gave freely of his time, energy and efforts in numerous capacities in the LDS church, including such positions as bishop, high counselor, gospel doctrine teacher and home teacher.
Military Experience
U.S. Air Force, pilot, World War II veteran, shot down over Germany, former POW: He was a combat veteran of World War II, flying photo reconnaissance and fighter escort missions over Europe with the 8th Air Force. In March 1945, at age 20, the P-51 Mustang he was piloting was shot down over Germany. Injured while bailing out of the aircraft, he was captured and held as a POW until being liberated by Patton's 3rd Army. He was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. (The Arizona Republic, Feb. 26, 2008, p. B 7)Employment
| Occupation | Title | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation/Lodging | auto dealer, Pontiac agency, Ajo, Arizona | |
| Transportation/Lodging | owner, Mecham Pontiac, Glendale, Arizona | 1954 |
| Media/Arts/Design | newspaper publisher, Evening American, American Newspaper Group | 1963 - 1973 |
| Government | Governor, State of Arizona (Republican) | 1987 - 1988 |
Arizona Legislative Service
| Session | Chamber | Party | District | City | County | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th Legislature, 1st Regular | Senate | Republican | Maricopa - (1912-30) (1931-1966 Senate) | Glendale | Maricopa | ||
| 25th Legislature, 2nd Regular | Senate | Republican | Maricopa - (1912-30) (1931-1966 Senate) | Glendale | Maricopa |