By Steve Stockmar
Some residents know Trimble best as Arizona’s official state historian. Others know him for his Western-inspired music and books, all of which helped him earn induction into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall Of Fame. And generations know Trimble best as their Arizona history teacher at Scottsdale Community College over 40 years before he retired a decade ago.
A list of all his achievements and honors runs longer than a western diamondback rattlesnake. At the heart of it all, Trimble was born in 1939 in Mesa and was raised on historic Route 66 in the tiny northern Arizona town of Ash Fork where his father worked for the Santa Fe Railroad.
Trimble has journeyed through arguably the most widely varied Arizona life ever and has told tale at every stop along the way.
We caught up with the homegrown legend to kick off 2025
2025 marks 28 years since you were appointed as Arizona’s official state historian. What have been some favorite moments you’ve encountered in your role?
Parada Del Sol Parade with future Senator John McCain when a cloud burst hit. The parade was cancelled shortly after it began. John and I were unaware and kept riding. The crowd dispersed and we were lone riders. Finally the parade officials told us to seek shelter. When he first came to Arizona we took him on a day-long ride in the Superstition Mountains. He never complained even though his war wounds must have been painful. He was tough. I declare he would have charged hell with a bucket of water.
Performing in a bar in Old Town Scottsdale with Waylon Jennings.
Performing before the entire United States Supreme Court (in a resort, not in the courtroom).
Singing the National Anthem at the dedication of the new Scottsdale Baseball Stadium standing next to Willie Mays. I thought I sounded just like Johnny Cash but he grinned and said “You sing just like Willie Neeeeelson.”
Reciting Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag” before the Annual Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame for several years.
Opening for the Oak Ridge Boys before 7,000 people at Sun City. I couldn’t see the back of the auditorium but I could swear they were watching through telescopes.
Performing on the bed of a hay wagon at the Lazy B Ranch’s 100th birthday with Sandra Day O’Connor.
The greatest magic moment of all was all those years telling those Arizona stories to my students who ranged from their teens into their 80s. And that includes all those little fourth grade Arizona history students. That includes the little girl who, after I told her perhaps we’d meet again when she was in college, said “You’ll be dead by the time I get to college!” She must be about 60 years old by now.
What’s a fact about Arizona or a moment in state history that perhaps doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
Arizona is a land of anomalies and tamales [referencing his own 2018 book]. Arizona has all seven Clinton Hart Merriam Life Zones. A 25-mile drive from Tucson to Summerhaven is comparable to traveling from Mexico to Canada. So, if you want to save money on your next vacation, take a trip to Tucson instead.
Other than one of your own of course, is there a song you feel best captures the spirit of Arizona?
The song that best captures the spirit of Arizona is Rex Allen Jr.’s “I Love You Arizona.”
You turn 86 years young in 2025. What are some plans or projects you have for the upcoming year?
I would like to figure out a way to end this 30-plus year drought.
After a long, healthy life Ole Dad Time has begun to deal me some bad cards. Last year as I was leaving the stage following a show, I nearly fell while leaving the stage. I wasn’t worried about me but I was afraid of damaging my beloved old Taylor guitar. Kevin Schirmer had to assist me. That was it! I returned to the microphone and told the audience that I was hanging up my spurs. I have had a gifted life that was far beyond my wildest dreams.
How often do you get back to Ash Fork and what does that community mean to you?
Ash Fork is that town that refuses to die. It was one of the state’s most important rail heads. It linked the northern part of the state by rail to the southern but the Santa Fe RR closed the passenger trains then bypassed the town. My father was a railroad engineer. Interstate 40 replaced historic Route 66 then bypassed the town, leaving it high and dry, The downtown burned twice and was never rebuilt. But the town is still alive thanks to the late Fayrene Hume, who refused to let it die. She died in 2024. To me it will always be, “The Town I love so well.”
