Joel Grant Woods

Grant Woods, former two-term Arizona Attorney General and senior aide to Senator John McCain, whose brand of centrist Republican beliefs lost its place in an increasingly less inclusive political party resulting in a split that would lead to Democratic electoral success in this traditionally conservative state, died of a heart attack at age 67 on October 23, 2021.

Serving as Arizona Attorney General from 1991 to 1999, Woods running as a Republican led the ballot of all candidates in both his elections. His time as Arizona's top lawyer was marked by civil rights enforcement including his advocacy for the creation of a Martin Luther King state holiday. Woods was also one of the principal architects of the states' lawsuits against tobacco companies and was a key negotiator in the resulting largest civil settlement in history. In 1995, Woods was selected by his peers as the nation's top Attorney General.

Devoted to his mentor and friend, John McCain, and reflecting his style of flinty independence and just doing what is right regardless of political party affiliation, Woods deployed his considerable political standing in endorsing candidates of both parties including Joe Biden in his presidential election in 2020. The Democrat is the first to win the State's electoral votes since 1996.

Woods delivered a highly-regarded eulogy of John McCain at his 2018 funeral that created speculation about a future run for political office.

Cindy McCain tweeted after Woods passing: "Grant Woods was one of my best friends. My only comfort is knowing (he) is laughing and joking with John now and watching over all of us. We will miss you so much Grant. God Bless."

Woods was the only child of Joe and Nina Woods born in Elk City, Oklahoma in 1954. His family moved to Mesa where Woods graduated from Westwood High in 1972. He graduated from Occidental College in 1976 where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was the College's 2000 Alumnus of the Year eventually serving as a member of its Board of Trustees.

Woods graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 1979 and was its 1999 Alumnus of the Year. The Courtroom at the law school is named after Woods.

Woods would join the Maricopa County Public Defender Office for three years before serving as McCain's Arizona congressional office Chief of Staff beginning in 1983.

Woods married actress and former news anchor, Marlene Galan Woods. Both have a passion and talent for the performing arts and Woods' original plays, Dear Senator, and The Things We Do, have been produced in Los Angeles and Phoenix. As a songwriter, Woods' works have been recorded by many top artists. Woods also hosted his own radio talk show on KTAR and KFYI and has been honored as Arizona's top talk radio host.

The immediate family of Grant and Marlene Woods includes five children: Austin, an attorney practicing in Phoenix, Lauren, an ASU graduate, Cole, a graduate of the Dodge Film School at Chapman College, Dylan, a graduate of the AMDA College of Performing Arts, and Ava, a senior at Sunnyslope High.

Reflecting on her loss, Woods' widow stated "Grant was the love of my life. My best friend. My heart is broken, but I will do my best to continue his artistic and civic work by speaking-out especially for those who do not have a voice."

Woods is also the founder of the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley, Grant Woods Branch, the Mesa Education Foundation and the Mesa Arts Academy, one of Arizona's first successful charter schools. Grant and Marlene Woods were among the early forces behind the Phoenix Children's Museum at which the Woods family sponsors a permanent construction exhibit.

A Life Celebration is scheduled for Friday, November 12 at 10:00 AM at the Orpheum Theater, 203 West Adams Street in downtown Phoenix. Anticipated attendance has necessitated relocating funeral services to this larger venue from original plans.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Boys and Girls Club of the Valley, Grant Woods Branch.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ALMoore-Grimshaw.com for the Woods family.