Larry Chimbole

Larry Chimbole (May 22, 1919 – November 10, 2015) was a United States Army veteran of World War II, California politician, and a member of the Democratic party.

Larry Chimbole
1st Mayor of Palmdale, California
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 34th district
In office
December 2, 1974 – November 30, 1978
Preceded byBob Wood
Succeeded byPhil Wyman
Personal details
BornMay 22, 1919
New Haven, Connecticut, US
DiedNovember 10, 2015(2015-11-10) (aged 96)
Palmdale, California, US
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse"Vicki" Lelia (nee Roberson) Chimbole (1936–2011)
Children4
ResidencePalmdale, California
Alma materGlendale College
OccupationPolitician
Known forFirst mayor of Palmdale, California

Early life

On May 22, 1919, Chimbole was born in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1937, Chimbole graduated from Stamford High School.[1][2]

Career

Chimbole was an owner of a hardware store in Palmdale, California.[1]

In 1961, Chimbole became the President of Palmdale Chamber of Commerce.[1]

In 1962, after Palmdale was incorporated, Chimbole was elected as the first mayor of Palmdale, California.[1]

On November 5, 1974, Chimbole won the election and became a Democratic member of California State Assembly for District 34. Chimboles defeated Kenneth F. Hall and Jack E. Ashworth with 51.7% of the votes.[3] In 1976, as an incumbent, Chimbole won the election and continued serving his district. Chimbole narrowly defeated Phil Wyman, vice president of the Antelope Valley Board of Trade. In 1978, however, Wyman came back to beat Chimbole.[4]

From 1996 to 2000 Chimbole was a member of the Antelope Valley Hospital District Board.

Personal life

After WWII, Chimbole, lived in Glendale, California. In 1945, Chimbole adopted Harold Steven Chimbole (1943-2020).[5] In 1957, Chimbole moved to Palmdale, California.[1]

Chimbole's wife was "Vicki" Lelia (nee Roberson) Chimbole (1936-2011), a real estate broker with Robertson Realty. They have four children.[4][2][6]

On November 10, 2015, Chimbole died in Palmdale, California. He was 96 years old. Chimbole is interred at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Palmdale, California.[1][2][7]

Legacy
  • The Larry Chimbole Cultural Center is located in Palmdale, California.[8]
  • The First Mayor, a bronze statue of Chimbole on a bench in Poncitlàn Square was dedicated on October 8, 2015.[2]

Electoral history
Member, California State Assembly: 1974-1978
Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1974 California State Assembly
District 34		 Larry Chimbole 35,416 51.7% Kenneth F. Hall 28,976 42.3%
1976 California State Assembly
District 34		 Larry Chimbole 44,154 50.6% Phil Wyman 43,086 49.4%
1978 California State Assembly
District 34		 Larry Chimbole 36,928 45.7% Phil Wyman 43,845 54.3%

References
  1. "Larry Chimbole, First Mayor of Palmdale, Dies at 96". scvnews.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  2. "Palmdale's first mayor, Larry Chimbole, passes away". theavtimes.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  3. "November 5, 1974 General Election". joincalifornia.com. November 5, 1974. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  4. "Larry Chimbole". joincalifornia.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  5. "Harold Steven Chimbole". chapelofthevalleymortuary.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  6. "Welcome to the memorial page for Vicki Chimbole, July 1, 1936 ~ June 10, 2011 (age 74)". chapelofthevalleymortuary.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  7. "Lawrence (Larry) Chimbole, First Mayor of Palmdale". scvhistory.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  8. Vassar, Alexander C., The Legislators of California - Appendix D
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.