A Walk Through History John Meeker: The Man Who Saved the Sun Cities
Sun City proved such a success when it first opened in 1960 – spawning active adult communities throughout the nation – that history often overlooks how the community nearly collapsed five years later. Nearly 1,200 homes were sold that first year, but by 1965, sales had fallen to less than 400 units, prompting the Del E. Webb Development Company to consider abandoning Sun City altogether. A “Plan B” was even developed and the company briefly considered turning the property north of Grand into a multi- generational community with schools and an industrial park. But a young man convinced Del Webb there was another way – a better way to attract retirees to the desert. That man was John Meeker and less than a year after being named president of DEVCO, he had sales moving in the right direction. Meeker’s formula for success was simple: Keep residents happy and strive to make Sun City the premiere active-adult community in the world. Meeker met with residents routinely to hear their complaints and desires. He expanded the number of clubs and organizations available to residents, upgraded and modernized model homes, and made it his mission to build quality amenities. One of the first amenities built under Meeker’s watch was the Sun Bowl, the outdoor amphitheater that still stands today. The facility not only provided top-notch entertainment for residents, but it was an excellent marketing tool that promoted Sun City nationwide.
The Del E. Webb Development Company held its official groundbreaking ceremony for Sun City West on Feb. 15, 1978. From left to right, are DEVCO President John Meeker; Arizona Sen. Dennis DeConcini; J.G. Boswell Company Vice President Hank Raymond; DEVCO Vice President R.H. Johnson and Arizona Governor Wesley Bolin. DEVCO was also the builder of Sun City, the nation’s first active-adult retirement community. Sun City expanded north of Grand Avenue in the late 1960s, and Meeker got his chance to build a new community from the ground up when he created Sun City West in 1978. The success of the Sun Bowl in Sun City prompted Meeker to build something similar – but bigger, better and indoors – in Sun City West. In 1980, the Sundome Center for Performing Arts would open in Sun City West and at the time was the largest, single-level amphitheater in the Southwest. The story of John Meeker and his role in developing both Sun City and Sun City West is told in the newest presentation created by the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum’s Speakers Bureau. The new 30-minute talk, “John Meeker: The Man Who Saved the Sun Cities” is presented by Alan Schlemmer, current vice president of the museum’s Board of Trustees. Clubs and organizations are invited to contact the museum to schedule this and other available programs. Visit the museum’s website to see a complete list of talks and arrange for a presentation. 23 OCTOBER 2026 REC CENTER NEWS │
delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org
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