Roy LeCraw
Encyclopedia
Roy LeCraw served part of one term as the 50th Mayor
of Atlanta, Georgia
before resigning to join the U.S. Army at the beginning of World War II
.
He was a self-confident insurance man and an officer in the National Guard
.
A charter member and the 1924 President of the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce, he served as president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
starting in 1932 and ran for mayor in 1934, but was soundly defeated by James L. Key
.
The next mayor, William B. Hartsfield
, saw many of Atlanta's best business and professional people begin to leave the city for life in the suburbs and a labor-friendly candidate such as LeCraw became more popular.
This caused Hartsfield to start the campaign to annex Buckhead
but in September 1941, LeCraw defeated Hartsfield by 111 votes.
His tenure was to be short-lived, however. He joined the Army, resigning his post in May 1942 when mayor pro tem George B. Lyle
took over until a special election could be held on May 27, in which Hartsfield defeated eight opponents.
LeCraw served in Europe
and after the war he returned and ran again in 1945 but was defeated by Hartsfield.
In 1948, he served as a state senator, and in 1954 lost a bid for the U.S. Congress.
He served in Korea
and received the Bronze Star
.
In the 1960s, he raised money for and founded many Presbyterian churches in the various countries he had visited.
in Buckhead
.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
before resigning to join the U.S. Army at the beginning of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
He was a self-confident insurance man and an officer in the National Guard
United States National Guard
The National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States. Militia members are citizen soldiers, meaning they work part time for the National...
.
A charter member and the 1924 President of the Atlanta Junior Chamber of Commerce, he served as president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce is the chamber of commerce for the Atlanta metropolitan area. It was founded in 1859....
starting in 1932 and ran for mayor in 1934, but was soundly defeated by James L. Key
James L. Key
James L. Key lawyer who as the 45th and 48th Mayor of Atlanta.By 1902, he was councilman representing the Sixth Ward and ran for mayor in 1904 and 1918 first losing to then defeating James G. Woodward....
.
The next mayor, William B. Hartsfield
William B. Hartsfield
William Berry Hartsfield was an American politician. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and served as its 49th and 51st Mayor from 1937 to 1941 and again from 1942 to 1962, making him the longest-serving mayor in Atlanta history....
, saw many of Atlanta's best business and professional people begin to leave the city for life in the suburbs and a labor-friendly candidate such as LeCraw became more popular.
This caused Hartsfield to start the campaign to annex Buckhead
Buckhead (Atlanta)
Buckhead is the uptown district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, comprising approximately the northern one-fifth of the city. Buckhead is a major commercial and financial center of the Southeast, and it is the third-largest business district in Atlanta, behind Downtown and Midtown...
but in September 1941, LeCraw defeated Hartsfield by 111 votes.
His tenure was to be short-lived, however. He joined the Army, resigning his post in May 1942 when mayor pro tem George B. Lyle
George B. Lyle
George B. Lyle was briefly mayor of Atlanta during the month of May in 1942. Roy LeCraw had fought a tough campaign against incumbent William Hartsfield and won on a slim margin but just a few months after taking office, he joined the army leaving mayor pro-tem Lyle until new elections could be held...
took over until a special election could be held on May 27, in which Hartsfield defeated eight opponents.
LeCraw served in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and after the war he returned and ran again in 1945 but was defeated by Hartsfield.
In 1948, he served as a state senator, and in 1954 lost a bid for the U.S. Congress.
He served in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
and received the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
In the 1960s, he raised money for and founded many Presbyterian churches in the various countries he had visited.
Honors
In 2002, a lamp was installed in his honor at 2970 Peachtree RoadPeachtree Road
"Porch Swing in Tupelo" is a song from British pop-rock performer Elton John's 2004 album, Peachtree Road. The song talks about Elvis Presley's childhood and upbringing and describes Tupelo, Mississippi....
in Buckhead
Buckhead (Atlanta)
Buckhead is the uptown district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States, comprising approximately the northern one-fifth of the city. Buckhead is a major commercial and financial center of the Southeast, and it is the third-largest business district in Atlanta, behind Downtown and Midtown...
.