Jesse Addison Udall was born on June 24, 1893 near Eagar, Arizona. He was known during his lifetime as a dedicated public servant. Arizona's Governor Jack Williams proclaimed Sunday, March 26, 1976 as "Justice Jesse A. Udall Day," in honor of the man who contributed to the State, its quality, and way of life. Jesse's youth was spent mainly in the areas around St. Johns and Thatcher, Arizona, where he graduated from High School at Gila Academy. In May 1924, Jesse graduated from the University of Arizona Law School. Shortly thereafter he was elected to the Office of County Attorney in Graham County, Arizona. Jesse established his first law practice in Safford, Arizona in 1927.
Jesse served as a member of Arizona's Legislature (1931-1938); as Judge of the Superior Court of Graham County, Arizona (1939-1942, 1953-1958); and as a Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona (1960-1972). He was an officer in the United States and Arizona National Guards; a veteran of both World Wars; and a Bishop, President, and Missionary President for the Mormon Church. One of Jesse's accomplishments as a member of Arizona's Legislature was to pass a law to establish new Junior College Districts in Arizona. As a freshman Superior Court Judge in Graham County, Jesse was selected to try an important case between the Roosevelt Irrigation District and the Salt River Project. As Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona, Jesse presides at the 1964 impeachment trial of two of Arizona's Corporation Commissioners: A.P. (Jack) Buzard and E.T. (Eddie) Williams Jr.
Jesse Udall retired from his position as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona in January 1972. On April 18, 1980, Jesse passes away at St. Joesphs Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.