The ashes of former Arizona Gov. Raúl Héctor Castro were recently placed in a memorial at the Sedona Community Cemetery.

Castro, who died April 10 at age 98, was the only Mexican-American to be elected to the position, serving as the state’s 14th governor from 1975 to 1977.

He also served as ambassador to Argentina, Bolivia and El Salvador.

After his death, Castro family  members made their way through the state, honoring the leader at public functions in Phoenix and other cities before holding a private function in Sedona.

His memorial was placed near his brother, Ernesto Castro, who is buried there.

Castro’s daughter, Beth Castro, spoke about her memories of her father and his time as a politician.

“My father always wanted to be buried next to his brother,” she said.

Castro had long held ties to Northern Arizona, entering Arizona State Teachers College, now Northern Arizona University, in Flagstaff.

Castro was also enamoured with the nature of the area, according to his daughter.

“He loved the trees,” she said. “He would say, ‘I love my memories teaching at the college.’”

To read the full story, see the Wednesday, May 13, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.