Each year, the Best Dad InMaricopa contest reminds us of what truly matters: the quiet sacrifices, daily efforts and unwavering love that fathers pour into their families. This year, we received more than 120 nominations filled with touching stories, funny memories and powerful reminders of just how incredible our community’s dads are.
Karsten’s Ace Hardware again has stepped up as the presenting sponsor, and many of our advertisers have provided prizes.
Here are a few highlights from the nominations that stood out, not by name, but by the heart behind them:
- One father was described as a “personal chef, chauffeur and full-time student” who still finds time to surprise his kids’ classmates with gifts on the last day of school.
- A stepdad was nominated multiple times for “stepping in when another man stepped out,” becoming a steady, loving presence for children who now call him “dad” without hesitation.
- Several dads were praised for working long, demanding jobs while still making it home in time to read bedtime stories, help with homework or coach a youth sports team.
- One nomination mentioned a dad who gave up weekends to build LEGO models, teach his kids how to make pizza from scratch and even learned an entirely new sport just to support his son’s passion.
- Another was described as the “glue that holds us all together,” showing up with encouragement when his family needs it most, never asking for recognition.
- Many nominations came from single moms, adult children and even neighbors who admired the way a local dad carried himself with humility and love.
These stories are a testament to the fact that being a great father isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up, day in and day out, in big ways and small.
Thank you to everyone who submitted one of the following names and sharing the reason why there are the best dad in your eyes.
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| Luis Villa | Suriya Sortheppharak | Armando Perez | |
| Mike Benavides | Steven Hernandez | Armando Gutierrez | |
| Chris Spears | Steve Baker | Anthony Valencia | |
| Emilio A Smith | Stephen Amundson | Anthony Singleton | |
| Rob Byers | Skyler Nash | Anthony Olivas | |
| Ezequiel Iniguez | Sheldon Turley | Anthony Bertram | |
| Ryan Wells | Shawn Wahl | Angel Vargas | |
| Ammon Armijo | Sergio Stanton | Angel Ramirez | |
| Michael Leach | Scott Brammer | David Hodge | |
| Nicholas Dahl | Ryan Trombatore | Deion Jones Glass | |
| Neil Pableo | Ryan Hanners | Andy Toovey | |
| Mitchell Lengel | Ryan Hall | Demarious Frost | |
| Mike Mahlman | Rudy | Juan P. Montano | |
| Mike Locke | Ronald Blauvelt II | Joshua Johnson | |
| Mike Fear | Robert Hopkins | Joseph Macia | |
| Michael Calderon | Robert Bugher | Jose Arauz | |
| Oscar Sanchez | Richardo | Jorge Ruiz Luna | |
| Matthew Mausser | Peter Vega | Jon Walsh | |
| Matthew Brake | Kevin Gatten | John Brandenburg | |
| Mason Ross | Justin Garza | John Alvarado | |
| Marco Valle | Justin Mclain | Jesse Hernandez | |
| Major Santiago | Dee Davis | Jerry | |
| Leeda Thao | David Arvizu | Jeff Yount | |
| Larry Schroeder | Daniel Zuniga | James Sabolia | |
| Kylon Page | Daniel Rondeau-Fox | Jacob Shures | |
| Kyle Woodmansee | Daniel Bernstein | Henry Onyenanu | |
| Kris Samsel | Dakota Followwill | Gabriel Rivera | |
| Kevin Morris | Curtis Singleton | Frank Reyes | |
| Nolan Cook | Craig Ward | Fidel Franco | |
| Paul Pence | Collin Hutcheson | Fernando Rivera | |
| Patrick Meyers | Cody Leonard | Felix Del Torro | |
| Kerry Young | Chris Leftwich | Felipe Lopez Vega | |
| Victor Lopez | Cedric Cruz | Erick De Avila | |
| Ulises Hernandez | Carl Bezuidenhout | Duane Qualls | |
| Trestin Miller | Brandon Sheard | Dominic Mentzos | |
| Tommy Borquez | Bobby Barnett | Wilbert Chavez | |
| Todd Marquis | Austin Loper |
We’ll be announcing the Top Three Winners on Father’s Day, so be sure to check back and help us celebrate the dads who represent the very best of Maricopa.
Read about last year’s three winners here: Meet 2024’s ‘Best dads’ InMaricopa
