The regional community lost a steadfast leader last month, when Marana Mayor Ed Honea died unexpectedly on Nov. 22. At the time, he was serving on the Regional Council of Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority Board as the town representative.
During his tenure with PAG/RTA, Honea was a key figure in the development and passage of the 2006 RTA plan and in his unwavering support for regional leaders to cooperatively work together under the one vote per member model for PAG and the RTA to address regional issues under PAG’s mission.
His leadership also was invaluable to the success of countless other projects that have moved Marana and the southern Arizona region forward over several decades.
Honea had served as the mayor of the Town of Marana since 2005. He was a third-generation resident of Marana whose dedication and commitment to the town and its residents extended to the incorporation of Marana in 1977 and beyond.
A native son of Marana, Honea graduated from Marana High School in 1965. He later served in the U.S. Navy in a Naval Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees. Back home, Honea worked to incorporate Marana as a town.
Following incorporation of Marana, Honea was a member of the first elected town council. The Pima County Board of Supervisors appointed the first town council to serve at the time of incorporation, after which Honea and others were elected to the Marana Town Council in 1977. Honea subsequently served three stretches on the council.
He also served as chair of the PAG Regional Council in 2007, 2014 and 2020 and as chair of the RTA Board in 2009, 2016 and 2023.
