Lon R. McDermott Obituary (1932 - 2020)

Wickenburg - Lon Raymond McDermott, age 87, of Wickenburg, Arizona passed away peacefully on May 26, 2020. He was born July 11, 1932 at St. Joseph Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona to Arthur T. and Helen O'Sullivan McDermott. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Joan D. McDermott, his former wife, Paulie DeVoe, sons Stephen (Diny) Henderson, NV.; Thomas (Cathy), Chandler; Marc (Joanna), Prescott; Jeffrey (Bridget) Temecula, CA.; John (Monica), Trabuco Canyon, CA, Greg (Annette) Scottsdale,; Patrick (Tara) Goodyear; and daughter Suzanne Marie Johnston (Mike) Tempe. Grandchildren, Tina, Nick, Melissa, Eric, Shawn, Jared, Sheena, Erin, Nicole, Miles, Emma, Max, Andrew, Lauren, and Delaney and 16 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Lon was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Kathleen and Margot and brother Arthur, grandsons Johnathon and Christopher Michael. Lon was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Tracy, California and Billings and Roundup Montana, returning to Phoenix in 1953 where he began a construction career at Fisher Contracting. He became Vice President in 1963 and later formed Reel Contracting Co. which managed major highway and bridge projects throughout Arizona. In 1970, Lon accepted an offer from Burgess Construction Co. in Fairbanks, Alaska, to be the company's Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board of Directors. Major projects included the Trans Alaska Pipeline, Haul Road, Airport and access road construction, camp construction and pump station site preparation, all of which provided excellent summer jobs for his sons. Lon was affiliated with the Associated General Contractors and member of the Board of Directors for 9 years and appointed by the Governor to serve on the State of Alaska Transportation Planning Council. In 1978, Lon formed McDermott Enterprises, Inc., a construction management consulting firm, and in 1981 he and Joan returned to Arizona making Wickenburg their home. For nearly 40 years, Lon was actively involved in the Wickenburg community. He served on the Economic Development and Airport Advisory Commissions and in 1998 was elected to the Town Council. From 2002 - 2004 Lon was the Mayor of Wickenburg. He was recipient of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Services Award and "Man of the Year" in 2000. Lon also served as Chairman of the Task Force Destination Wickenburg and in 2004 was appointed to the Maricopa County Department of Transportation's Advisory Board. In May of 2005, Lon was honored with the prestigious bronze "Henry" Award from the Town of Wickenburg - an award he shared with his wife Joan. He further served as a member of the Community Services Board until 2019. Lon loved his family and the time he was able to spend with them and was extremely proud of his children, their lives and the families they have created. Lon will always be remembered for his professional accomplishments, dedication to community, humble determination, honesty, sense of humor, and positive, supportive vision in life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Wickenburg Community Services Corporation P. O., Box 782 Wickenburg 85358 or Hospice of the Valley, 9435 W. Peoria Avenue, Peoria, Az. 85345 A Celebration of Life is scheduled for May 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Coffinger Park Ramada located at 175 Swilling Ave. off Tegner St. in downtown Wickenburg.