This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(February 2013) |
Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr.(August 8, 1919 – February 1, 2006) was an American politician who served as the12th governor of Arizonafrom 1965 until 1967. He remained active in politics following his term in office, serving on theDemocratic National Committeeand as chairman of the Arizona Democratic State Committee.
Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 12thGovernor of Arizona | |
| In office January 4, 1965 – January 2, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Fannin |
| Succeeded by | Jack Williams |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Samuel Pearson Goddard Jr. August 8, 1919 Clayton, Missouri,U.S. |
| Died | February 1, 2006(aged 86) Paradise Valley, Arizona,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Julia Hatch
(m.1944; died 1999)Myra Ann Pearson (m.1999) |
| Children | 3 (includingTerry) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University University of Arizona College of Law |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  U.S. Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | Air Force Reserve |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Early life and career
editGoddard was born inClayton, Missouri,a suburb ofSt. Louis,the son of Florence Hilton (née Denham) and Samuel Pearson Goddard.[1]He attendedHarvard Universityand was a member of the school'sglee cluband varsitycrew team.His athletic efforts resulted in his induction into the Rowing Hall of Fame in 1976. Goddard graduated in 1941 with aBachelor of Artsin history.
Soon after graduation, Goddard enlisted in theUnited States Army Air Corpsas a private forWorld War IIservice. He was commissioned by the Air Corps in 1942 and served as an operations and communications officer in England, India, North Africa, and theSouth Pacific.He was discharged from the Air Corps in 1946 as amajor,remained active in theAir Force Reserve,and rose to the rank ofcolonel.
Goddard married Julia "Judy" Hatch ofSpringfield, Illinois,in 1944. The couple chose to settle in Arizona upon a doctor's recommendation that the dry climate would help relieve Judy's rheumatoid arthritis. The marriage resulted in three sons,Terry(Mayor of PhoenixandArizona Attorney General), Tim and Bill.
In 1946, Goddard purchased land inTucson,near Swan Road and 22nd Street and built a home for his family. He developed the land into a subdivision that included extra large lots, homes that were set back from the street and restrictions that kept the area residential. The subdivision he calledAldea Lindaor Beautiful Little Village, is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[2]
Goddard earned his law degree at theUniversity of Arizonain 1949 and began practicing inTucson.
Goddard became a widower in 1999 following the death of his first wife, former Arizona First Lady Judy Goddard. He died in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Goddard was survived by his three sons and his second wife, Myra Ann.
Political career
editHe became a community leader, helped organize the Tucson Civic Chorus and the Tucson Watercolor Guild, and took an active role in charitable fundraising. In 1959, he became the chairman of the Tucson Youth Study Group and was selected as a member of the White House Conference on Youth and Children. His community efforts earned him the title Tucson Man of the Year 1959.
He first was elected chairman of the Arizona Democratic State Committee in 1960. In 1961–1962 he served as president of the 11 state Western Conference of United Funds. He became recognized as a rising power in Democratic politics in the state and in 1962 made an unsuccessful bid for the governorship. He ran for governor again in 1964, and this time won, beating futureU.S. Attorney GeneralRichard Kleindienstby 53–47%. Goddard's campaign symbol, the Arizonaroadrunner,became familiar throughout the state, and it helped bolster his reputation as a man of energy who got things done.
As Governor, Goddard helped to organise a compromise amongst regional governors supporting the Colorado River Basin Project including theCentral Arizona Project.This secured a reliable water source for the state, providing a foundation for the subsequent rapid economic population and economic growth that has occurred.
Governor Goddard signed a bill banning discrimination on grounds of race, gender, religion and ethnicity. He also established the state's first budget office and worked to improve relations with the Mexican state ofSonora.
He stood for re-election in 1966 but was defeated byJack Williams,and lost to Williams again in 1968. Goddard also served as chair of theArizona Democratic Partyfor 10 years and on theDemocratic National Committeefor 20 years.
References
edit- ^"Secretary's report".Cambridge, Mass.
- ^"David Leighton," Street Smarts: Midtown neighborhood one of Tucson's most unusual, "Arizona Daily Star,Nov. 16, 2015 ".16 November 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-11-18.Retrieved2015-11-18.
Further reading
edit- "A governor who made the most of change".East Valley Tribune. 3 February 2006.[permanent dead link]
- Goff, John F. Arizona Biographical Dictionary. Black Mountain Press.Cave Creek, Arizona1983. p. 272
- Fischer, Howard (1 February 2006)."Former Arizona governor, Goddard, dead at 86".Arizona Daily Star.Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2006.
- Sherwood, Robbie (2 February 2006)."Former Gov. Sam Goddard dies at 86".The Arizona Republic.
- "Obituary: Samuel P. Goddard 1919–2006".Tucson Citizen.2 February 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2007.