by Renee Morgan

Created on: September 06, 2008

Arizona has everything going on in their great state. So let us start with the Indians. There was the Apache Kid an Indian outlaw. Legend has it that Apache Kid had killed three Arizona officers. Cochise was the chief of the Chiricahua Apache and Geronimo was a Chiricahua Apache leader who fought against the encroachment of European Settlers on Native American Lands. James Reavis was a self-style Baron and there was Doc Holliday a gambler and gunfight who participated in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

For all the rough and tough of the cowboys and Indians, Arizona had the soft and smoothness of playmates. There was January 1973 Miki Garcia, February 1957 Sally Todd, March 1999 Alexandria Karlsen and April 2001 Katie Lohmann. Then Arizona had the ladies which brought up the rear, like August 1965 Lannie Balcom, September 1975 Mesina Miller, November 1963 Terre Tucker and December 1997 Karen McDougal who also was playmate of the year the following year.

When it come to showbiz Arizona have Joan Ganz Cooney, producer of Sesame Street, Steve Allen, Ted Danson, Barbara Eden and Lynda Carter an actress who also was 1972 Miss World USA. Danielle and Sammi Hanratty of The Unit, Catherine Hicks, David Spade and Jaime Lyn Bauer who played Laura Brooks on the Young and The Restless and Laura Spencer on Days of Our Lives.

When it comes to heroes and fighter, Arizona has plenty. Let us start with Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman from Arizona to me killed in a war; she was a Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal recipient of the Iraq War. Pat Tillman Silver Star recipient of the Afghanistan War and was a former NFL player. There was Frank Luke a fighter pilot during World War I, Medal of Honor. Ira Hayes a World War II player helped to raise the USA flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Arizona has basketball Channing Frye, boxing Michael Carbajal, swimmer Misty Hyman and golfer Phil Mickelson. There is gymnast Kerri Strug, pro-football Darren Woodson, outfielder Luis Gonzalez and pitcher Randy Johnson. Mike Bibby Sean Elliott, Louie Espinoza, and Richard Jefferson are all part of Arizona star line up, just to mention a few.

Alice Cooper a rock star, Wayne Newton a singer, Tanya Tucker a country music singer and Linda Ronstadt a singer and songwriter all hailed from Arizona. Stevie nicks a singer Charles Mingus a jazz bassist, composer and bandleader were from Arizona also. There is also Cris Kirkwood (guitar and vocals) and Derrick Bostrom (drummer), both whom play for the Meat Puppets.

We can always go to outer space with Robert McCall an Arizona space artist. Arizona has a good line up for the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Learn more about this author, Renee Morgan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.