PHOENIX — Former Phoenix Mayor John Driggs, who is credited with helping establish a group of mountain parks in the desert city, has died at the age of 87.
Mayor Greg Stanton's office announced Driggs died Thursday at his Phoenix home.
Driggs' son, state Sen. Adam Driggs, said on his Facebook page that John Driggs had been suffering from complications related to pancreatitis for more than a year.
John Driggs served as mayor from 1970 to 1974 and is credited with helping create the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. The 33,000-acre area contains some of the city's most popular desert hiking trails.
Born in Douglas, Driggs graduated from North Phoenix High School. He was a World War II veteran, serving with the Navy. He graduated from Stanford University.
Driggs is survived by his wife Gail, five sons, 19 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
