Former state Rep. James Sedillo of Flagstaff died last weekend at his Flagstaff home. He was 58.

Mr. Sedillo, a Democrat, served in the House for two years, representing Flagstaff and parts of northern Arizona until 2003. In January of that year, he was appointed to manage the Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) northern Arizona office in Flagstaff.

Mr. Sedillo died in his sleep, said ADEQ Director Steve Owens, who spoke with Mr. Sedillo’s family on May 1.

“He was a wonderful man, a dear friend and a terrific public servant,” Mr. Owens said.

Mr. Sedillo was well known in northern Arizona, where he was born and reared. He had a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University, was a Vietnam veteran and served as a justice of the peace in Coconino County’s Flagstaff District from 1981 to 2000.

Mr. Sedillo also served as a campaign co-chair for The United Way of Northern Arizona, helping the nonprofit raise $1 million in 2003.

“He was a gentle man of high integrity and compassion,” said Gene Westerhaus, a friend of 30 years who worked on Mr. Sedillo’s statehouse campaign. “His passing will have a real impact on civic life up here.”

Mr. Sedillo is survived by a son and three daughters. — The Associated Press

Lawmakers Attend Service

Leadership announced both the House and Senate would not reconvene until 2:30 p.m. May 5 to accommodate the 40 lawmakers who planned to attend Mr. Sedillo’s funeral in Flagstaff.

Arizona Capitol Times received a number of remembrances of Mr. Sedillo. Below is a sampling.

“Jim was a loyal friend. It was unfortunate that I was only able to serve with him for one term in the House. He was very bright and unswerving in his devotion to Democratic principles. I am going to miss him very much.” — Sen. Bill Brotherton, D-14

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“I had the privilege of serving with Jim my first two years here in the House. The summer of 2001, Jim and I were asked to speak in Washington D.C. about Arizona Clean Elections and why we supported publicly funded political campaigns. I learned a lot about Jim and what made him tick during that cross-country flight.

“Philosopher Karl Jaspers said that, ‘The politician regards public opinion as a given fact and submits to it, whereas the statesman creates public opinion, seeing through the talk of the day to the hidden will, which he awakens.’ Jim Sedillo was indeed a statesman. He was a dear friend and every day seemed to be able to teach me something about grace under pressure. Jim and I were in a shopping mall in Texas when we saw some red Birkenstocks. He thought that they would be just the thing for me to buy and wear down to the Capitol. And for the last four years or so he teased me every time he saw me wearing any other footwear.

“I am a better legislator because of having known Jim. And moreover, Arizona is a better place because of Jim’s dedication to public service — his time in military service, his long time commitment as a justice of the peace — his term here in the House — his commitment to Clean Elections — as well as the numerous other community service activities that he always made time for in his life. When I think of Jim, I cannot help but smile and there are many words that come to mind, but first and foremost Jim was a gentle man and a statesman. And, I am lucky to have been able to call him friend.” —Rep. Meg Burton Cahill, D-17.

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“Jim Sedillo was a man who I respected and cared for very, very much. He was a wonderful, wonderful friend. It’s a terrible loss for all of us and it’s such a shock because we just saw him last Thursday. We had a wonderful visit. I loved working with Jim because Jim was an honest man and he had values, he had morals. I just admire him very, very much.

“I met him when we started serving together, our first term. Our offices were pretty close together and, at one point, for a short time one of the secretaries was working for both of us. We became friends. I have to say I really admired and respected him. He was a true gentleman.

“I admired his honesty, his truthfulness, his common sense. He had excellent judgment — he would look at things the way they really needed to be looked at. He didn’t just fall into party line. I truly respected him, and how many times can you say that you truly respect someone? Sometimes we like people and sometimes we respect people and sometimes both, but I had a deep respect for him and a very good friendship.” — Cheryl Chase, D-23

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“Jim was good, conscientious legislator. Jim and I used to meet at Cordes Junction and ride down together, usually with him driving. On one of those trips he asked, ‘What’s your background?’ He was one-fourth Basque and I was one-eighth Basque. He told me, ‘Congratulations — you’re now a member of the Hispanic caucus.’ And it really turned out to be useful to be in that caucus, to make contacts and be able to be a part of the discussions of that group. It’s unfortunate that he died at such a young age.” — Former state Rep. Henry Camarot

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“I know Jim is in the promised land. He was a deeply religious man. Once while at a conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I accompanied Jim on a two-mile walk to the nearest church to attend Sunday Mass.’ — Rep. Pete Rios, D-23

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“I have a nice group of pictures of former Rep. James Sedillo on display in my office.