John Albert LaSota, Jr.

John A. LaSota, Jr. (“Jack”) was born in Paterson, New Jersey to John A. LaSota, Sr, and Pauline (“Patty”) Scharf LaSota on October 19, 1941. He was the oldest of four children and the only son. He lived in Bergen County, New Jersey until 1953 when at age 12 he and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in part due to his asthma. Jack was known from an early age for his mental prowess and was even declared a “child genius” in the local newspaper, something his mother always bragged about even into her later years.

Jack graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1959, initially attending Claremont McKenna College for his freshman year. He then transferred to Arizona State University for the remainder of his undergraduate studies. He attended the University of Arizona for law school, and then Northwestern University for his advanced law degree. Jack had a long and distinguished legal career, and he was held in high regard by his legal peers even past his retirement. Early in his career, he worked for the Phoenix Police Department as the department’s first legal advisor and later worked with future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William Renquist. Later in his career, then Arizona Governor, Bruce Babbitt, asked Jack to serve as his Attorney General from 1978 – 1979. Although Jack chose not to seek election to continue his tenure as AG, Governor Babbitt later asked Jack to be his Chief of Staff in the mid-1980s. Jack eventually moved into private practice, working for two law firms before he started his own in 1995, where he worked until his retirement. He also was an assistant dean and professor at the ASU College of Law in the 1980s, and he served as a judge pro tempore.

Jack was married for over 55 years to his beloved wife, Maureen – his sweetheart, as he would often say. They met at an ASU sorority “prize” auction, where he bid $2.65 to have Maureen “work” for him for the day. They reconnected while working summers in Lake Tahoe and were later married on September 6, 1969. Jack was a devoted family man to his wife and three sons, John, Tim, and Michael, as well as his parents and sisters.

Giving back to the less fortunate was very important to Jack. He spent much of his free time volunteering at the Andre House, St. Vincent de Paul, and various other charities, in addition to donating to many charities over the years. During his retirement, he served on the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency.

Jack was a devoted Catholic who rarely (if ever) skipped a Sunday church service. Jack attended weekly mass right up until his final days. Even when traveling through Europe with his family, or attending a New Years Day bowl game, mass always came first to Jack – even in another language that none of us understood.

Jack was loved and respected by many. He loved traveling, reading the newspaper, visiting museums, watching sports, and spending time with his family. He also had an affinity for cars and car magazines. He loved beer and wine and loved to visit wineries in California and Oregon. In his later years, he dedicated himself to his seven grandchildren, all of whom he was extremely proud, and became a huge fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Jack lived a life full of love and professional achievement. But perhaps even more impressive is the adoration and respect that many people held for him, both personally and professionally. To know Jack was to love him, and he had many friends and fans. He was a very wise, easy-going, and completely selfless man who enjoyed spending time with just about anyone. He loved to help others in any way he could. Jack would literally give the shirt off his back to those in need. He was a great conversationalist who could have civil discussions with those on the other side of the political spectrum.

Jack is survived by his two younger sisters, Gail Petersen and Beverly Groves of Phoenix, his sons, John (Beth), Tim (Sonya), and Michael (Kimberley), and his seven grandchildren - Jack, Annamaria, Avery, Ryan, Nico, AJ, and Tony. He is preceded in death by his wife, Maureen, his parents, as well as his younger sister Carole. He maintained a very happy and healthy relationship with his mother- and father-in-law, as well as his brothers-in-law, over the years.

The entire LaSota family is very thankful for the incredible outpouring of love and support by both friends and family. Jack will be tremendously missed by many, and he will be loved forever.

Visitation is on July 10 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, with a rosary at 6:00 PM. Funeral Mass and burial are on July 11, at St. Theresa Catholic Church at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Vincent de Paul at St. Theresa Parish or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.