Grant Woods remembered by friends, family at public memorial service
A memorial service for former Arizona Attorney General Grant Woods was held Friday morning in downtown Phoenix. Woods died unexpectedly last month at the age 67.
Woods got his start in Arizona politics in the 1980s, as the chief of staff for Sen. John McCain. McCain’s widow, Cindy McCain, was among those who spoke at the service.
“It was a privilege to know Grant Woods. It was a privilege to have watched and witnessed his and John’s friendship, and their mutual admiration and their shared love of Arizona and America,” said McCain.
Woods was also eulogized by his three sons, his wife, Marlene, and Charles Barkley.
The Phoenix Suns legend recalled a team executive alerting him that Woods wanted to meet with Barkley shortly after a blockbuster trade brought him to Arizona from the Philadelphia 76ers.
“And I remember Cotton Fitzsimmons first said to me, ‘The attorney general wants to meet you,’ and I said, ‘Cotton, I haven’t even gotten arrested in Arizona yet,’” said Barkley.
A private service for Woods’ friends and family is scheduled for Friday night.
