Oran Kenneth Gragson (February 14, 1911 – October 7, 2002) was an American businessman and politician. He was the longest-serving mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada, from 1959 to 1975. Gragson, a member of the Republican Party, was a small business owner who was elected Mayor on a reform platform against police corruption and for equal opportunity for people of all socio-economic and racial categories.[1][2] He is, as of 2022, the most recent Republican mayor of the city.
Oran K. Gragson | |
|---|---|
| 17th Mayor of Las Vegas | |
| In office 1959–1975 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Duncan Baker |
| Succeeded by | William H. Briare |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Oran Kenneth Gragson February 14, 1911 Tucumcari, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 2002 (aged 91) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Resting place | Palm Memorial Park, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Relatives | Noah Gragson (great-grandson) |
| Profession | Businessman politician |
After he became the mayor of Las Vegas, Gragson also became an integral part of the construction of the US 95 freeway. Gragson was at a Las Vegas church when he collapsed with a heart attack, and later died in a Las Vegas hospital on October 7, 2002, at the age of 91. The US 95 was named in his memory, and he was buried in a Las Vegas cemetery.
Gragson's grandson Scott became a real estate developer for the city, and his great-grandson Noah Gragson is a NASCAR driver who competes for Stewart Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Oran K. Gragson Mayor Who Made His Mark". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
- ^ "Oran K. Gragson obituary – Las Vegas Sun". Las Vegas Sun. October 7, 2002. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
External links
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