Michael S. Medigovich

Michael Stephen Medigovich, 90, of Cottonwood, a pioneer of the Verde Valley, died January 15. He was born June 19, 1914 in Douglas, where as a child he experienced one of Pancho Villa\u0027s raids into Arizona. He moved shortly thereafter with his parents to Cottonwood, where his family established a ranch near the Verde River. He was a graduate of Clarkdale High School, where he played football and was nicknamed the \u0027\u0027Galloping Ghost\u0027\u0027. Early in his career, he was employed at Ersel Garrison Ford in Cottonwood. Later, Mr. Medigovich was the owner and manager of Cottonwood Lumber Company for many years. He was the winner of the prestigous \u0027\u0027Lumberman of the Year Award\u0027\u0027 for the state of Arizona. In 1969, he sold his business to Babbitts Lumber and was retained to manage the Cottonwood and Sedona locations of Babbitts. He retired in 1979. Mr. Medigovich served on the Marcus J. Lawrence Hospital Board from 1955 to 1993 and served as Chairman from 1966 to 1993. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodges of the Verde Valley area and the Jerome Elks Lodge #1361. He is survived by a son, Bill Medigovich of San Francisco; a brother, John Medigovich of Rohnert Park, California; a sister, Eva Pecharich of Clarkdale; two grandchildren, Joe Wombacher and Jamie MacGregor and his loving caregiver, Alma Starr. Preceded in death were his first wife, Maddie Eden Medigovich, his second wife, Eulene Wombacher Medigovich, his third wife, Bette MacKenzie Medigovich; a daughter, Joan Medigovich, a stepson, James Wombacher, a brother, Sam Medigovich, a sister, Edith Vukovich and a nephew, Pete Sankovich. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22 in the Westcott Funeral Home at 4 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to the Verde Valley Medical Center or to the Northern Arizona Hopsice, both located at 269 S. Candy Lane, Cottonwood 86326.