Ed Honea

Marana’s ‘Biggest Cheerleader’

By Tom Leyde

For those who knew him well, he was just “Ed.” A man with a genuine smile, a real handshake and a true friend.

But to many, Ed Honea was more than that. He was a fixture in government in the Town of Marana for 37 years, including two stints as mayor. He had just been re-elected in August when he passed away Nov. 22 at his home from sudden cardiac arrest. He was 77.

City officials and residents remembered Honea at a celebration of life Dec. 21 at the Marana Municipal Complex, now renamed Ed Honea Marana Municipal Complex.

“I think people were nice to Ed Honea because they loved him and he loved them more,” said Marana Town Manager Terry Rozema. “He lived for this community. He lived for other people. That was the example Ed Honea set for us.”

For the celebration of life, the complex yard was adorned with colorful Christmas decorations. The American flag stood at half-staff. A large color portrait of Honea, taken just two days before he died, was displayed in front of a stage between two large sprays of white flowers.

Two large screens showed photos of Honea from throughout his life − as a child, as a 1965 Marana High School graduate, as a member of the U.S. Navy, as a husband, as a father, as a U.S. Postal Service contractor, and as a city official.

Friends greeted each other with hugs. The Marana High School Choir sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” The Arizona Scorpion (aircraft) Squadron flew over in the missing-man formation. A flag from the Navy was presented to Honea’s family for his service in Vietnam with the Navy Seabees, the naval construction force.

Bagpipers played “Amazing Grace,” and a three-volley salute was performed by VFW Post 132.

Officiant Dan Marries said Honea would have wanted those present to focus on the positive. “He was such a wonderful man. We will miss that smile,” he said.

Dale Moe, pastor of Light of the Way Church, said of Honea: “He was a dear friend. His friendship touches us in many ways. His legacy lives. That spirit lives in us. He knew hospitality.”

Moe noted the chair at the church where Honea sat on Sundays. “I can’t imagine anyone else sitting there. He had his space,” he said. “Ed was quite the servant.”

“Mayor Honea was a statesman, always looking for the good of the community,” Rozema said. Still, Rozema recalled that Honea could make his displeasure known, especially when something went awry. “His face got red when he was getting angry, and his feet would widen their stance. He’d clasp his hands on his knees,” he said. 

Tom Murphy, mayor of the Town of Sahuarita, had a close friendship with Honea. When Honea’s eyesight began to fail, Murphy became Honea’s chauffeur to meetings. “Everything was about relationships to Mayor Ed,” Murphy said. “He loved being the biggest cheerleader for Marana.”

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani was another of Honea’s close friends. “His footprint is left here without a doubt,” Ciscomani said. “I’m still trying to be like him.”

The congressman said Honea changed people’s lives and always put politics aside. “Our lives will never be the same without Ed,” Ciscomani said. “The best legacy that we can live is to live the life that he lived.”

Honea is survived by his daughter Tiffany Wynter, son Whitney, and three grandchildren, as well as his brother Wayne Honea and sister Pam Bramlett.

Whitney recalled sitting in his dad’s lap when he was a child and going on drives around Marana with his father. “Together, we were glorious,” he said. “He lived a life worth living. He loved his family more than anything.”

“Each of us are stories being written,” Whitney said. “Enjoy your story. Be the best you that you can be. His story is worth telling.”