AZ HR2014

Lieutenant Colonel Larry "Lucky" Chesley passed away peacefully on May 2, 2021, at age 82 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Chesley served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, was shot down over North Vietnam on April 16, 1966, and spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi before being released in 1973.

He earned numerous military decorations including two Silver Stars for Gallantry, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star for Valor, two Purple Hearts, and five Air Medals.

After military retirement in 1982, Chesley served as an Arizona state senator from 1993 to 1997 and later worked as a research analyst and legislative liaison for the state legislature and State Treasurer.

The Arizona House of Representatives expresses deepest condolences to Chesley's family, including his wife of 40 years, nine children, 29 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.