J. H. Pyle, Ex-Gov. of Arizona and Aide to Eisenhower, Dies
- Share via
TEMPE, Ariz. — J. Howard Pyle, governor of Arizona from 1951 to 1955 and an aide to President Eisenhower, died Sunday after suffering a stroke in October. He was 81.
In addition to serving as governor and a White House aide, Pyle was president of the National Safety Council, chairman of the federal Occupational Health and Safety Agency’s National Advisory Committee, and a city councilman.
In 1950, Pyle was elected governor in a major upset as a Republican in a state long dominated by Democrats. He was reelected in 1952, but was defeated while seeking a third term. Observers attributed his defeat to a raid in 1953 on Short Creek, a polygamous community now called Colorado City.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
