Josiah Alfred Libby, born November 5, 1903, in Sanborn, Iowa, died March 19, 1999, due to pneumonia. Son of Charles Edwin and Annie Holmes Libby.
He lived in Lexington and Kelso, Washington, and married Katherine Elizabeth Tarbet, December 12, 1928. She died May 20, 1959. Their children are Eleanore (David R.) Mayne, Verdon, Nebraska; and Joanne (Gerald E.) Goddard, Portland, Oregon. Married Nita Austin Beard, April 23, 1961.He received a B.S. in Forestry from Oregon State College (now Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon) in 1927. Received M.S. in Forestry from Yale University (1932) in New Haven, Connecticut. Worked for the U.S. Forestry Service in Mink Creek, Idaho, from 1928-1931; Paris, Idaho, from l932-l933; and Logan, Utah, from 1933-1935; Assistant Regional Forester U.S. Soil Conservation Service Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 1935-1942; Zone Conservationist in 1942; Assistant State Conservationist, Salt Lake City, UT from 1942-1951; and Utah State Director of Soil Conservation Service from 1951 until his retirement in 1967. Upon his retirement, he received letters of commendation on completion of over 40 years of governmental service from members of the 1967 U.S. Congress, specifically, Congressman Lawrence J. Burton, and Senator Wallace F. Bennett. The Utah Soil Conservation Districts also honored him for his outstanding contribution to conservation. He was devoted to conservation development and use of soil, water and other natural resources.
Survivors include two daughters; seven grandchildren, Linda (Mark) Watson, Richard (Judie) Mayne, Joanne (Bill) Bronson, Denise (Neal) Koso, Jerilyn (Don) Knoll, Lisa Goddard, Andrew Goddard; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Anne Libby, Longview, Washington.
Preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters, Thomas, Francis, John, Winnie Radford, Florence Lamka and Ethel Jabusch Curry.
Graveside services Wednesday, March 24, 11 a.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens, 10600 South 1700 East, Sandy, where friends and family may call one hour prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Forestry School, Utah State University, Logan, UT, or Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.