Ross Farnsworth Sr

Ross Farnsworth, a pioneer among the developers and philanthropists who spearheaded the postwar economic boom in Phoenix, died in March 2013. He was 81. Farnsworth was born in Mesa and began his company, Farnsworth Development, with his father, Joseph, in the late 1950s. Farnsworth also was one of the original investors in the coalition assembled by Jerry Colangelo to buy the Phoenix Suns in 1987. Farnsworth, who was deeply embedded in Mesa's religious, business, political and social life, had been in declining health for some time. Although his personal philosophy was conservative, Farnsworth used his position as a high-profile Mormon to lobby for a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday when Arizona was torn by that issue a generation ago. Farnsworth is survived by his wife, 12 children, 63 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren.