John Nicholas Udall

John Nicholas Udall (known as "Nick"), a third-generation Arizonan
born July 23, 1913 in St. Johns, Arizona passed away on June 15, 2005 in Chandler, Arizona. He was the eldest surviving descendent of Arizona Mormon pioneer David King Udall. Nick married Sybil Webb in Washington D.C. in 1937 an they soon thereafter were sealed in the Arizona temple. They remained devoted companions until Sybil's passing in 1998. During their marriage, both rendered service in numerous religious and civil capacities. Nick's parents, John Hunt Udall and Ruth Kimball Udall, met while attending school at the Eastern Arizona College. When they attended a class in English Literature, they learned that the first English playwright to write comedy was Nicholas Udall in the 16th century. John and Ruth jokingly agreed that if they ever married, they would name their first son "Nicholas." They married and honored their mutual pledge. Nick's family heritage was a major influence on him throughout his life for rendering service to God and country. His father was the mayor of Phoenix from 1936 to 1938. Years later, Nick followed in his father's steps by being elected Mayor of Phoenix from 1948 to 1952. His paternal great-grandfather embraced the message of Mormon missionaries in England in the mid 19th century and immigrated to the United States and settled in central Utah. His paternal grandfather was instrumental in the settling of what is now known as St. Johns, Arizona in the late 19th century. Nick's mother was a sister of Spencer W. Kimball, with whom Nick had a close relationship throughout their lives. While Nick was still a baby, his mother suffered a terminal illness and passed away in 1915. John Hunt Udall later married Leah Smith in 1916, who was a loving and devoted mother to Nick. She had ten children born in her marriage to John Hunt Udall-King; Earl (Naomi Tew); Ruth (Dr. Woodrow Evans); Reed (Afton Webster); Jan (Chester Mortensen); Jesse (Ann Evans); Josephine (Dr. Lloyd Webster); Samuel (Helen Druke); Idella (Victor Flack) and Pauline (Brad Perkinson). Nick and all of his siblings maintained and cherished their close familial bonds during his life. Nick served in the East Central States Mission, attended Brigham Young University and the University of Arizona, and enrolled in law school at George Washington University, graduating in 1944. He returned to Arizona in 1947 and practiced law briefly before serving as Mayor of Phoenix (elected to three terms). Subsequently, Nick was elected a judge of the Maricopa County Superior Court from 1952 to 1956. He then returned to private practice and joined the firm of Jennings, Strouss, Salmon and Trask for the remainder of his legal career. Later in life, Nick was an LDS bishop for the Phoenix Third Ward for five years and also served as a stake patriarch. Nick and Sybil also traveled extensively later in life. Nick is survived by his wife, Joan Romney Udall, all of Joan's seven children and their spouses, and all seven of his children: John (Rosalyn) - Charleston, WV; Kimball (Sharyn) - Santa Fe, NM; Lee (Janet) - Phoenix; Teresa Kniskern (James) - Anacortes, WA; Robert - Phoenix; Laurie Greaves (Brad) - Visalia, CA; and Larry (Nancy) - Chandler; 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Nick has had such an illustrious life and was acquainted with so many famous and outstanding people that his family encouraged him to write his life story, which he completed shortly before his death. Nick's life can best be summed up by the title of his autobiography - "The Wonder Of It All!" Nick has left a great legacy and will be greatly missed by his loved ones. Viewing at Bunker's University Chapel, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, Arizona on June 22, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Val Vista Lakes LDS Chapel from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. on June 23, 2005. Services at the Val Vista Lakes LDS Chapel at 1005 North Voyager Drive, Gilbert, Arizona 85234 (South of Baseline and East of Val Vista Road and accessible from Greenfield Road or Guadalupe Road) on June 23 (Thursday), 2005 at 10:00 a .m.