Jack Londen

Jack Londen, a longtime Phoenix insurance businessman and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate, died in January 2015 of natural causes at his home. He was 85. Londen's wife, Lynn; sons Ron and Jack; and several grandchildren were by his side, said Ron Londen. In 1963, Londen founded the company that would be called the Londen Insurance Group, which owned the Lincoln Heritage Insurance Company, his son said. He was chairman until his death. His son, Tom, who passed away this year, was president for 30 years. Londen was also involved in founding several churches, including the First Christian Church in Phoenix and the Chaparral Christian Church in Scottsdale. But he was perhaps best known for his run against Evan Mecham in the 1978 Republican gubernatorial primary. Londen's first wife, Doris "Dodie" Londen, served three terms as Arizona Republican Party chairwoman, the first woman to hold that post. Dodie Londen died in 2006, and Londen later married Lynn. Londen also survived the deaths of two of his four sons, Larry and Tom.