The Coconino County Board of Supervisors and County Manager’s Office were saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Babbitt Jr., 82, who died April 4 of causes related to his downwinder cancer diagnosis.

Born to Frances B. [née Perry] and Paul James Babbitt Sr., on Jan. 16, 1941, Paul Babbitt, Jr. spent his entire career working for the people of Northern Arizona. He was appointed to the Coconino County Board of Supervisors in 1986 and served District 1 through 2004.

He was also a member of the Flagstaff City Council from 1976 to 1984, vice mayor from 1978 to 1980 and mayor from 1980 to 1984.

“Babbitt understood the needs of Northern Arizona,” the board stated in a press release. “He and his family are known for their long history in the community dating back to the late 1800s and their business interests in ranching, general stores and trading posts.”

Babbitt was preceded in death by his parents Paul Babbitt and Frances Perry Babbitt and brothers Kenneth Babbitt and James Babbitt.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Kuzell-Babbitt; children Margaret “Marney” Babbitt-Pierce [Michael] and Paul James Babbitt III [Stephanie]; brothers Charles Babbitt [Eleanor], Bruce Babbitt [Hattie] and sister-in-law Helene Babbitt. Bruce Babbitt served as Arizona attorney general from 1975 to 1978, Arizona governor from 1978 to 1987 and U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1993 to 2001.

“Paul Babbitt’s commitment to preserving and protecting public lands and maintaining a voice for local government is inspiring,” board chairman and District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez said. “His contributions to Northern Arizona will never be forgotten or taken for granted.”

Babbitt was instrumental in ensuring the success of many projects, including:

• Designating the Grand Canyon Escalante National Park
• Closing White Vulcan Mine
• Securing property for The Arboretum at Flagstaff
• Preserving Dry Lake
• Implementing the inaugural version of the Coconino County Comprehensive Plan
• Representing Northern Arizona in the Arizona Growing Smarter Initiative
• Representing Northern Arizona in the Arizona Preserve Initiative
• Identifying state trust lands for preservation
• Leading the “Keep the Lights on in Tusayan” campaign
• Creating the opportunity for local communities to have a voice in land planning decisions
• Protecting 34,480 acres of land south of the Grand Canyon from mining, subdivision and development through a conservation easement
• Advocating for conservation and environmental issues throughout his life
• Participating in the creation of the Coconino Rural Environment Corps
• Ensuring that issues like public health, the environment, open space and greenways were incorporated in the inaugural Regional Plan
• Approving the Coconino County Capital Plan of 1997-2004
• Expanding parks and open space through the Coconino County Parks and Open Space plan, including the Fort Tuthill Amphitheater, the acquisition of Rogers Lake, Fort Tuthill fairgrounds and park expansions and renovations across the county
• Founding member, transitioning to an emeritus member, of the Friends of Coconino County Parks
• Building relationships with the cities in the county and other jurisdictions including the USFS
• Developing the Flagstaff Community Wildfire Protection Plan with the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership to protect the greater Flagstaff area and beyond from wildfire

“Paul had a deep love of public service which extended throughout his life,” District 1 Supervisor Patrice Horstman said. “We lost a giant and his legacy will be everlasting.”

At Board of Supervisors meetings Babbitt was thoughtful and contemplative. He would always give the history of the issue before giving other comments. But, if “yes” or “no” would do, he’d leave it at that when appropriate.

“He was always working to pull people together for better solutions,” former District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan said. “He was my mentor and a mentor for all his colleagues. He was a man of few words, but he spoke volumes with those few words.”