Programs

Pioneer of the Year

Must be still living at time of recognition
Must have lived in Chandler for 50 years
Must have made a significant contribution to the history of Chandler

1991– Jasper Sossaman

1992– Alice Woods

1993– Anne Williams

1994– Kenneth Knox

1995- Mary Bernal

1996– Bertha Tate Vest

1997– Bernice Calley

1998– Faith Sossaman

1999– Earl Krepela

2000– Pauline Openshaw

2001– Joe Villalobos

2002– Pryor & Marlene Sanborn

2003– Pete Fletcher & Bertha Tate Vest

2004– Harry McCoy & Willetta Riggs

2005– Corley Haggarton & Ann Patterson

2006– Dr. Rodger Fuller & Audrey Ryan

2007– Coy Payne & Edna Davis

2008– Norman & Barbara Knox

2009

Kenny Thomas: Kenny is a native Arizonan who came to Chandler for a summer job before he went into the Navy during WWII. Upon discharge, he returned to Chandler, married a local girl and set up a meat processing business, which he maintained for nearly 50 years. Along the way, he became involved in City politics, first serving on the City Council and later was elected Mayor of Chandler in 1976. He is well known for his outstanding photography and has thousands of slides and photos from all over the world. Long a member of the Chandler Historical Society, he has served several times on the Board of Directors, has been a strong financial contributor and has developed and printed hundreds of photos for the Historical Society’s collection.

La’Von Woods: La’Von Woods came to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Chandler</place></city> as a young child and has lived here ever since. She eventually became one of the busiest ladies in the area, as status which continues to the present time. During her career years, she was first a community organizer for the Chandler CAP and later became the Director of that same program, and eventually advanced to Council Coordinator for Social Services delivered to low income in the East Valley CAP offices. After some time in that position La’Von was promoted to Social Services Parent Involvement Coordinator for Maricopa County Headstart for all of the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">East</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Valley</placetype></place>. She was instrumental in bringing the Maricopa County Headstart Program to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Chandler</place></city>. La’Von has received many awards for Community Service over the years and has had the honor of being the first African American on several city commissions. She organized the first Black History Celebration in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Chandler</place></city> as well as the Miss Juneteenth Pageant. She has always been very active in her church, the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Mt.</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Olive</placename> <placename w:st="on">Missionary</placename> <placename w:st="on">Baptist</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Church</placetype></place>, holding a number of offices and participating in a myriad of ministries.

2010– Eddie Basha & Steena Murray

2011– Max & Irene Dossey

2012– Bob & Danell Tarwater

Citizens of History

Must have made a significant contribution to the history of (or preserving the history of) Chandler
Must have lived in the Chandler area for 50 years
Must have involvement, past or present, in a local civic organization
May be an individual, a couple or a family

Honored in 2005

Eulogio “Lefty” Soto

Annabelle Bossick

Audrey Ryan

Carlanthe Turner

Josephine Jackson

Honored in 2006

Norman & Barbara Knox

Norman & Terry Saba

Ernie & Eva Serrano

Kenneth Thomas

Honored in 2007

Leota Thomas

Manny Valenzuela

Kenny England

Palmer Boberg

The Dobson Family

Honored in 2008

The Brooks Family

Glenn & Ila McCollum

Jamie & Sue Sossaman

Marshall Humphrey

Guy Whitten

Honored in 2009

Dr. Noel J. Stowe: Dr. Noel J. Stowe was a leader in Arizona’s historical community. Initially coming to Arizona to teach at ASU, he eventually became the Associate Dean of Graduate Study in the History Department. His interests in history soon led him into the community, locally, statewide and nationally. He made many innovative contributions to the furtherance of opportunities for historians. In June 2008, he received the Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honor Award.

Joe & Alice Woods: Joe and Alice came to Chandler in 1931, shortly after they were married to buy the Chandler theater. They renamed it “Rowena”, Joe’s mother’s name. A few years later they converted the old Monroe Building into the Parkway Theater. Later yet, they added a third theater to their business, the Mustang Drive-in. One or more of their theaters were in business for nearly 40 years, providing reasonably priced family entertainment and jobs for Chandler residents. In addition to their businesses, they found time to raise a family and become active in various civic organizations. Joe was active in the Chandler Rotary Club and the Mesa Elks Lodge. Alice was a life member in the Chandler Service Club, East Valley Altrusa, the Desert Samaritan Advisory Board, volunteered at the Salvation Day Care Center for over 20 years and served several terms on the Board of Directors for the Chandler Historical Society. Alice was also honored by the Chandler Historical Society as an “Outstanding Woman of Chandler”.

John Dick: John Dick, came to Chandler in 1953 and established a successful law practice. He has served the City and Maricopa County as part of his legal profession, holding offices in some of the allied association organizations. He was honored by the Arizona State Bar Association in 2004 for over 50 years as a practicing attorney. John has been active in his church also for over 50 years, serving in many positions and helping establish the Chandler Christian School and serving on its Board. As a charter member of the Chandler Kiwanis Club, he is part of all the activities of the Kiwanis and the City of Chandler, including helping to construct the first Tumbleweed Tree. He is a member of Chandler’s “Adopt a Park” program. The Chandler City Council proclaimed May 27, 2004 as “John Dick Day”.

Nathan J. Harris: Nathan J. Harris, one of Chandler's first African-American residents, came to the city with founder Dr. A.J. Chandler and served as his chauffeur. In 1932, Harris opened his own restaurant, Harris' Bar-B-Q (known as the best bar-b-que in town) originally on Arizona Ave. The initial structure for the restaurant after the move to Saragosa Street (which was one of the more popular places to eat in the city for decades) was a decommissioned 100,000-gallon city water tank. Harris prided himself in hard labor. One of Harris' great contributions to the City of Chandler, was encouraging people to remain law abiding citizens, and another was feeding the local laborers and allowing them to pay when their funds permitted. People from all walks of life sought him for direction in life's tumult and NJ always shared words of wisdom. He enjoyed making jewelry, fishing and hunting as his favorite pass time, the other was carpentry. Some of his craftiest work is the current bedroom suit of his great granddaughter LaVon Woods. Harris remained in the neighborhood until his death in 1958. In recent years a Neighborhood park formerly known as Elgin Park, was renamed after Harris and a history kiosk erected in the park details the history of the African-American and Hispanic communities that developed in the area surrounding the park in the early days of Chandler. Harris was one of Chandler's first African American residents and business owners.

Honored in 2010

Julia Hall Yelsits

Fred & Elizabeth Neat

Zora Folley

Arbuckle Family

Navarrete Family

Honored in 2011

Jimmy David Family

Wilford & Claire Phelps

W.G. Austin

Jinx Patterson

Jerry Brooks

Dudding Family

Honored in 2012

John A. Hamilton

Ralph & Ruth Wheeler

Jim & Dorothy Trees

Joseph Love, Sr., and Joseph Love, Jr.

George & Etta Frye

Buzz Scarborough

Coy Beasley

J.F. “Gene” Patterson

Dr. Joseph & Patricia Ryan Family

Schnepf Family

Outstanding Women of Chandler

The Outstanding Women of Chandler project was created to recognized women who have made a significant contribution to the founding of our city. The women selected as Chandler’s Outstanding Women have lived in Chandler for more than 50 years, have contributed to the City of Chandler both in and out of the home, and they have made a significant impact within the community. The first group of Outstanding Women was nominated by the community and selected by the Chandler Historical Society in 2006.

Honored in 2006

Barbara Gaddis Knox

Ella Calley Blythe

Mary Lois Richards Karkula

Audrey Stall Ryan

Emma Jackson Arbuckle

Glennys “Terry” Paul Saba

Bernice McAdams Calley

Jean Wagner Grover

Honored in 2007

Glen LaVon Kemp Woods

Barbara Caine Bogle

Margaret Patricia “Pat” Quigley Ryan

Honored in 2008

Willetta May Nelson Riggs

Honored in 2009

Dorothy Woods Ruoff

Lucia Rodarte Madrid

Joan Zidan Saba

Honored in 2010

Donna Ellsworth Bolen

Wynoma Jung

Honored in 2011

Nancy Ryan Jerdee

Donna Wallace

Patti Bruno

Helen Osborne Enloe

Carol Dobson

Honored in 2012

Marilyn Jean Harter

Glenna McCollum-Cloud

Mary Krepela

A.J. Chandler Award

The Dr. A.J. Chandler award is given infrequently and only to those who have had significant involvement with the Chandler Historical Society.

Criteria:

Must have made a significant contribution to the history of (or preserving the history of) Chandler
Must have lived in the Chandler area for 50 years
Must have involvement, past or present, in a local civic organization
May be an individual, a couple or a family

The Dr. A.J. Chandler award, which is reserved for honorees who have made a significant time and/or financial contribution to the Chandler Historical Society

Year Uncertain
Niels Kreipke and Desert Viking

2009 Honoree
Jim Patterson

2010 Honoree

Propstra Family

2011 Honoree

Chandler Service Club