Oran K. Gragson

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 2020, the most recent Republican mayor of the city.

Oran K. Gragson
17th Mayor of Las Vegas
In office
1959–1975
Preceded byCharles Duncan Baker
Succeeded byWilliam H. Briare
Personal details
Born
Oran Kenneth Gragson

(1911-02-14)February 14, 1911
Tucumcari, New Mexico, U.S.
DiedOctober 7, 2002(2002-10-07) (aged 91)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Resting placePalm Memorial Park, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Bonnie Henley
Children2
ProfessionBusinessman
politician

After he became the Las Vegas mayor Gragson also an integral part of the construction of Freeway US 95. Gragson was at the 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 at the Las Vegas cemetery.

Gragson’s grandson Scott became a real estate developer for the city, and his great-grandson Noah Gragson is a currently a NASCAR driver competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

See also

References

Party political offices
Preceded by
Charles H. Russell
Republican nominee for Governor of Nevada
1962
Succeeded by
Paul Laxalt
Political offices
Preceded by
Charles Duncan Baker
Mayor of Las Vegas
1959–1975
Succeeded by
William H. Briare


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