“It feels like a piece of Flagstaff’s soul has left us,” said Mayor Becky Daggett to the crowd of more than 200 people.
The event was held in the Flagstaff City Hall complex, which Babbitt was instrumental in creating. “It feels like a piece of Flagstaff’s soul has left us,” said Mayor Becky Daggett to the crowd of more than 200 people.
Babbitt served on the Flagstaff City Council from 1976 to 1984, the last four of those years as mayor. Later, he represented District 1 on the Coconino County Board of Supervisors for 18 years. As a young man, he served in the U.S. Army.
Former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans shared her memory of Babbitt as a mentor. “Just seven weeks ago, I sat with Mayor Babbitt and we discussed the connection between statesmanship and empathy, statesmanship and community, statesmanship and what it means to be of service to others, statesmanship and the importance of laying foundations that future generations could build on. It is said that ‘a society grows great when men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit,’” she said to the gathering. “As citizens of Flagstaff, we do not have to look far for examples of the many ‘trees’ that Mayor Babbitt planted for us.”
Speakers recalled some of Babbitt’s accomplishments, including building the new City Hall, the Flagstaff City-Coconino-County Public Library and Wheeler Park in downtown Flagstaff. He also is recognized for saving Buffalo Park from highway development and protecting Dry Lake for future generations.
“Looking around, I can see what Paul meant to this community,” said Babbitt’s son-in-law Michael Pierce, husband to Marney Babbitt-Pierce. “The stories and tributes I’ve heard speak volumes of his impact as a public servant. Yet, my connection to Paul is different. I knew him as Marney’s dad – a sweet, caring person with a consistently calm demeanor who was content to be in the moment with you. His presence was peaceful and easy, and time with him was a respite from a world racing toward the next big thing.”
“Our goal for today was to reflect upon a complex life of a pillar of the community – a life well-lived – and to create a service that reflected upon this man’s legacy and how the community continues that legacy,” said Babbitt’s son, Paul Babbitt, III, who facilitated the celebration.
Former Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt attended the event with his wife, Hattie. “Growing up in Flagstaff with my brother was a great adventure. And his dedication to public service has always inspired me to follow his example.”
Babbitt’s younger brother, Charles, a retired Phoenix attorney, said Paul became his mentor. “Paul was a great skier and an accomplished fly fisherman. But first and foremost, he was a wonderful family man, a strong and staunch civic leader who worked well with his colleagues and did a lot of work on behalf of the Flagstaff community.”
“Paul represented authenticity and he lived authentically,” said his cousin Billy Cordasco, president of Babbitt Ranches.
Community members who paid tribute to Babbitt included Arizona Regent designee and former Coconino County Supervisor Liz Archuleta. “As a young supervisor, Paul immediately and genuinely welcomed me as his colleague. I was fortunate to tap into his wealth of public service experience, history and knowledge. We laid the foundation for Coconino County to be innovative, responsive and visionary.”
Former Clarkdale Town Councilmember Bill Regner sought Babbitt’s counsel on assisting the town of Clarkdale through some significant transitions. “As the speakers today shared, Paul would listen intently and quietly and then offer some wisdom that would either validate your conclusions or give you pause to reconsider them. It was such a gift to me to have this wonderful resource and his mentorship when I was so hungry for it.”
Babbitt’s grandfather, C.J., was one of the five Babbitt Brothers who came to Northern Arizona in 1886 from Cincinnati, Ohio, to become cattle ranchers. Since then, the family has been instrumental in building Flagstaff, operating one of the state’s largest and longest-running family-owned ranches, establishing trading posts and other businesses, promoting education and the arts, serving in the military, supporting community needs through their foundations, and leading as elected officials.
“The most important part of Paul’s strength is that he truly loved this community and loved working in government,” said former Arizona Congressman Tom O’Halleran. “He considered everyone as partners. We will all miss Paul Babbitt, but we will never forget him.”
“We lost a giant of a man, but his legacy and love of our community remains,” said District 1 Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman. “With all his accomplishments, his greatest was his partnership with his wife, Mary, and raising their children, Marney and Paul.”
Babbitt, 83, died at his Clarkdale home from cancer, Thursday morning, April 4. He was surrounded by his family, listening to Tennessee Waltz, which he enjoyed dancing to with Mary in their kitchen. “He left as he lived, gently, gracefully and thoughtfully,” she said. “Without fuss.” QCBN
By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
