Oscar Walter McConkie was a Utah State Senator and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Background
McConkie was born in Buena Vista, Utah, a small town close to Moab, Utah. At the time, his father was sought by government officials for recognizing his three wives as such, so not long after his birth Oscar moved to Mexico. His father died in Pacheco, Galeana, Chihuahua in December 1890.
After his father"s death the family moved to Mona, Utah where McConkie was raised.
Education
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. U.A.C., Logan, Utah; University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. University of Michigan.
Career
The McConkies moved to Moab when Oscar was ten years old. After two years at law school, McConkie was having eye troubles and so returned to Utah. He worked as editor of the San Juan Record based out of Monticello, Utah, where he also practiced law until 1922.
In 1925 McConkie returned to Ann Arbor to finish his law studies at the University of Michigan, after which he moved to Salt Lake City in the fall of 1926.
McConkie served as a judge in San Juan County, Utah from 1919 to 1922, and Utah"s Third District Court Judge from 1928 to 1940. He also served as Salt Lake City commissioner.
In 1940 McConkie unsuccessfully sought to be the Democratic candidate for Governor of Utah. McConkie also served in the stake presidency of the Ensign Stake (in Salt Lake City) during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
From 1946 to 1950 McConkie was president of the California Mission, which then included most of California and a large part of Arizona.
Membership
A second son, Oscar West. McConkie, Junior., was a member of the Utah State Senate. He later served as a member of the church"s Sunday School General Board.
Connections
Spouse Vivian Redd, October 19, 1913, Salt Lake City, Utah.