Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Safford Mayor Jason Kouts, shown here at a city council meeting in 2018, died from natural causes early Wednesday morning.
Staff Reports
SAFFORD – After a lengthy battle with cancer, Safford Mayor Jason Kouts died Wednesday at 4:45 a.m.
A viewing will take place at Vining Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 2.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the David M. Player Safford Center for the Arts next to Safford High School. The celebration will begin at 6 p.m.
Jason was a native of Safford and was a fourth-generation carpenter. He worked for his great-grandfather (George Kouts), grandfather (Wesley Kouts), and his father (Ron Kouts), while attending grade school and high school, and afterward procured his contracting license, went out on his own, and hired his sons.
Jason married his high school sweetheart, Maria Nations Kouts, and the union produced three children, Josiah, Montana, and Austin.
Jason served on the Safford Fire Department before running for Safford City Council. He served as the Vice-Mayor from May 2008 to 2012, before being elected mayor.
