(Photo courtesy of Suzanne Jameson)

McFarland Memorial at the State Capitol in Phoenix.

(Photo courtesy of Suzanne Jameson)

McFarland Memorial at the State Capitol in Phoenix.

Some of Arizona’s elected officials have become nationally known figures, like Barry Goldwater, John McCain and Janet Napolitano.

But only one person held three of the highest offices — Ernest McFarland. He was elected governor of Arizona. He was also chief justice of the state Supreme Court. He served as the U.S. Senate’s majority leader.

McFarland’s greatest accomplished as a senator was likely his work creating the GI Bill after World War Two. Two of McFarland’s grandchildren -  John Lewis and Kara Lynn Lewis spoke about the political figure. Kara Lewis’ husband Fritz Aspey and historian Vince Murray also spoke about McFarland and about a refurbished memorial for McFarland at the state Capitol in Phoenix.