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Edward C. Locklear

Posted 2018-04-28 by Judy Wight Branson
The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona
Tuesday, February 2, 1971, page 1, column 4

Locklear Rites To Be Held In Prescott

Prescott - The funeral of Edward C. Locklear, 67, Dean of Yavapai
County practicing attorneys and retiring chairman of the Arizona
Highway Commission will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Methodist
church. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Locklear died Sundy night in his Prescott home while watching
television. He had been in declining health since last July
following a coronary attack.

A conservative Democrat, his death occurred on the eve of his
retirement of a five-year appointment on the highway commission. He
was scheduled last night at a department in Phoenix, at which time
he was to be presented a watch and a bronze plaque.

The plaque, first in the history of the commission to be awarded to
a living member, was in recognition of 'outstanding distinguished
service' according to a commission spokesman.

Mr. Locklear, who served as chairman of the State Democratic Central
Committee from 1944 to 1946, was appointed to the highway commission
in 1966 by the then Gov. Sam Goddard. At the time of his death,
Locklear was the only Democrat on the commission.

Walter A. Nelson of Sedona, a Republican, has been appointed by Gov.
Williams to succeed Locklear on the commission from district 5.
Nelson's term began yesterday. The district includes Yavapai,
Coconino and Mohave Counties.

While serving on the commission Locklear established a reputation as
a strong advocate of highway beautification. He considered adequate
roadside rest (can't read rest of sentence and the beginning of
another one) the important roles in highway safety. He also
stressed native plants in the beautification program.

Born in Homerville, Ga., Mr. Locklear attended Georgia Military
Academy at College Park. He was graduated from the law college at
Emory University at Atlanta.

He came to Prescott in 1931and two years later began practicing law.
He served as Prescott City Attorney from 1936 to 1943.

He was a senior member of the Prescott Law firm of Locklear and
Wolfinger, established Jan. 1, 1952.

He was a past president of the Arizona Bar Association and was also
a member of the Texas and Georgia bar associations. He was a member
of the Smoki People of Prescott and a director of the Marcus J.
Lawrence Hospital in Cottonwood. He was a past head of the Prescott
Elks Lodge and also was active in the Prescott Chamber of Commerce
and Prescott Kiwanis Club.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, two sons, Lee H., who was
graduated last month from the law college of the University of
Arizona, and Michael R., a student at Arizona State University; one
daughter, Kerry, of Sacramento, Calif.; and two brothers and three
sisters, all out of state.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in Memory Chapel.

The family suggests memorials to the law college of the University
of Arizona.

See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project




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