Former Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker dead at age 76
Oct 22, 2022, 9:00 AM
(Facebook Photo/UW-Stevens Point Alumni)
(Facebook Photo/UW-Stevens Point Alumni)
PHEONIX — The former mayor of the city of Mesa Keno Hawker died at the age of 76, the city announced Friday.
Hawker served as the city mayor from 2000-08 after serving on the Mesa City Council for 10 years, according to a press release.
He was passionate about infrastructure and worked to pass Prop. 400, the county’s long-term transportation and mass transit plan.
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Keno Hawker,” Mayor John Giles said in the release.
“We served on the Mesa City Council together and he was very supportive of me as mayor. He led the city during some challenging times. He was a strong advocate for Mesa, and we continue to benefit from his leadership today.”
Hawker also helped set the city on the path of business growth and job creation following the adoption of the 2022 Mesa General Plan.
“I was always impressed by Keno’s financial acumen and vision for Mesa’s growth,” City Manager Chris Brady said in the release.
“Keno’s leadership and understanding of city government guided me in my early days as a city manager. I will always be grateful that he gave me the career opportunity of a lifetime.”
Hawker is survived by his wife Penny and two children.
