John Weatherford Mcevoy

John Weatherford McEvoy, 70, of Casa Grande died December 28, 2008 at Hospice Family Care Inpatient Unit in Casa Grande, surrounded by his family. John was born in Phoenix, Arizona and was the son of Robert and Jane McEvoy. John graduated from North High School and there he met Nancy Lindstrom at a sorority dance. They were married for 50 years.

John spent more than 40 years in the insurance industry. He began his career in the Engineering and Rating Department of the Insurance Services Office. He later joined the Hartford Group as a special agent. John joined the Mahoney-O'Donnell Agency (now The Mahoney Group) in 1965. He began as a salesman and worked in a number of positions until he became President in 1972. John devoted his energies to the growth and development of the agency and was instrumental in seeing that it remained a vital part of the communities it served. John retired from The Mahoney Group in 2001 but continued to serve as a consultant.

John attended the University of Arizona. He received his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter Designation in 1968. John played a significant role in the insurance industry and was a president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Arizona; the Mesa, Tempe and Chandler Association of Independent Agents and Assurex Global. He was inducted into the Arizona Insurance Hall of Fame in 2003.

John was deeply involved in the community and served on many boards and committees. He was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of Sunstate Bank (now Great Western Bank). As a Past President and a member of the Executive Committee of the Greater Casa Grande Economic Development Foundation he worked actively to bring new industry to this area. He was a past Chairman of the Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission; Past President of the Coolidge Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow; Past President of the Blue Goose International (an insurance fraternity); and also served on the Pinal County Silent Witness Program Board.

Providing health care facilities for the community was an important part of John's life and he devoted many hours to that effort. He was a member of the Hoemako Hospital Board of Directors and worked diligently to build Casa Grande Regional Medical Center and recruit physicians to the health care community in our area. He was a founding director and member of the Board of the Arizona Hospital Federation. He was the first Chairman of the Board of Desert Valley Care Center. At the time of his death John was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Casa Grande Regional Medical Center. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center Foundation.

John was a strong proponent of education and co-chaired the Pinal County University Foundation that raised the money for the construction of the Gloria Sheldon University Building on the Signal Peak Campus of Central Arizona College. He was a generous donor to both Central Arizona College and Casa Grande Union High School.

As a member of the communities he served John accepted both leadership and responsibility and as a result of his awareness of needs, ambition, energy and generosity he made this a better community and a better life for many people.

John is survived by his wife, Nancy Lindstrom McEvoy; sons, John Robert McEvoy, Douglas James McEvoy of Casa Grande; a daughter, Tera Wildermuth of Phoenix; grandchildren, James McEvoy, Brittany, Austin, Jessica and Audrey McEvoy. He was preceded in death by both parents.

Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 4th at the J. Warren Funeral Services Cole & Maud Gardens Chapel, 525 N. Peart Road, Casa Grande, Arizona. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 5th at the First Assembly of God Church, 501 E. Kortsen Road,
Casa Grande.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Casa Grande Regional Medical Center Foundation, 1800 E. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, Arizona.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud the Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.