Mesa politician, businessman Wil Cardon dies at age 45

ALIA BEARD RAU

Mesa businessman and politician Wil Cardon has died. He was 45.

Cardon, who committed suicide, had struggled for years with depression, according to his family.

“He tried mightily for us, for himself and for all to overcome it,” said the family in a statement. “We are proud of how he faced this disease with openness and honesty. Today it finally took him, as it takes far too many.”

The family encouraged friends and family to remember his smile “that was as wide as Arizona,” especially when it came to his five children.

“His gregarious approach to life, business, our family and his faith enriched all who were fortunate to enjoy his warm embrace,” the family stated. “I think the moments I witnessed with our children, helping a person on the side of the road, or even applying to be a high school football coach are what gave him the most joy.”

The family has asked for privacy and said funeral details were still being planned.

Cardon attended Mesa Mountain View High School, later graduating from Stanford University after transferring from Brigham Young University. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School before taking over his family’s Mesa-based real-estate investment business, the Cardon Group.

Cardon ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 against Sen. Jeff Flake and for secretary of state in 2014.

Cardon hails from a pioneer Arizona family. The Cardon Oil Co. was founded by Wilford Pratt “Pat” Cardon, Cardon’s grandfather, who died in 1969. Wilford A. Cardon, Cardon’s father, is credited with growing the petroleum and gas-station business, expanding into convenience stores, and real-estate investment and development.

The family donated $10 million in 2009 to help build the southeast Valley’s first children’s hospital, Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa.