open. It was briefly renamed Hawaii Kai before low attendance forced the city council to close the attraction in 1976, just months before Stovall took office. Stovall focused on improving the city's basic infrastructure and city services during his tenure as mayor. Arlington voters aided Stovall's efforts by approving two large bond programs, including a $69 million bond issue to improve the city's streets. Stovall spearheaded the city's efforts to build the $10 million Arlington Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel on the site of the failed Seven Seas Marine Life Park. Voters also approved financing for the construction of the convention center. Through the construction of the convention center and other projects, Stovall is credited with turning Arlington's entertainment district into a tourism center. The development of the convention center also helped the city financially recover from the failure of the Seven Seas Marine Life Park. Stovall is widely credited with leading a number of important projects in Arlington during his tenure as mayor, as well as his time on the city council. He recruited national companies, such as National Semi-Conductor, to relocate to the city. Stovall also led efforts to construct a new City Hall and create Leadership Arlington, which trained community members for positions within the local government. He also collaborated with the Texas Department of Transportation to build Interstate 20 through Arlington. Stovall decided not to seek run for re-election in 1983. He was succeeded by Harold Patterson. Later life Just two months after leaving office as mayor, Stovall was appointed County Judge Mike Moncrief, who is now the mayor of Fort Worth, to serve on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. Moncrief appointed Stovall to the court following the death of Commissioner Jerry Mebus. He remained on the court until his loss to O.L. Watson in 1984. The city of Arlington named the SJ Stovall Park in honor of the former mayor in 1991. Stovall served on the board of trustees for Arlington Memorial Hospital, the president of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the chairman of the board of the Mission Metroplex/Mission Arlington. SJ Stovall died at a nursing home in Mansfield, Texas, on July 14, 2010, at the age of 84. His wife, Mary Margaret "Margie" Stovall, predeceased him. He was survived by a son, Marc, and a daughter, Beth. References 1925 births 2010 deaths Texas city council members Mayors of Arlington, Texas