Albert H. Libby, age 100, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2013, at North Valley Hospital in Tonasket, Wash. He was born on October 10, 1912 in Standish, Maine.
He married Elsie, his wife of almost 73 years, on June 30, 1934 and they had four children. Albert worked as a power hydro operator for an electric power plant in Maine for several years and also owned a farm where he had dairy cows and raised turkeys every year.
He had a very inventive mind, and what he couldn’t get, he made. One of his projects was building a large popup camp trailer, wind the top up and canvas sides came down, probably one of the first ones ever made. He used it to move the family to California in 1956 and was in the newspapers all across the country. He invented other things too, one was an ice cutter for PG&E to use on their canals in the winter in northern California and he received an award for that. He worked for PG&E at a power station down at the American River, in a canyon, near Pollock Pines, Calif., until he retired.
Albert loved horses, always had some around, and loved to ride. In 1973 he and Elsie moved to Tonasket, he brought his horses with him, and bought a farm near the Janis Bridge where he grew and sold hay and enjoyed riding in the hills. In 2000 he sold the farm and moved to a smaller place north of Tonasket on River Loop Rd. He and Elsie enjoyed watching the bird life on the pond there and they also had the horses, cows and Emus around to enjoy too. Still was life on the farm, just in a smaller place, and as long as he had his tractor and could farm a little he was happy.
His wife, Elsie, passed away in 2006 and his daughter, Patricia, passed away in 2008. His survivors include his son David Libby of Durham, Calif. and wife Roberta; daughters Jeanette Mooney and husband Gordon; Linda Cook (husband, Lawson, passed away in 2011) of Tonasket. Grandchildren include Kenneth Cook and wife Jessica of Buena Vista, Colo.; John Shepard and wife Ann of Seattle, Wash.; Sheri Shepard of Pennsylvania; Kevin Libby of Huntington Beach, Calif. and wife Marta; Randy Libby of Durham, Calif. and wife Patty; Debbie Carriere of Chico, Calif., plus all the great grandchildren which he loved.
The memorial service for Albert was on March 30th at the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, officiated by Jim Walker, a special friend of Albert’s. We want to extend a big thank you to Jim, the service was just like dad would have wanted, to talk about the Bible truths and what the future holds for our loved ones who have passed away and the comfort it brings to the ones left behind. Albert had been one of Jehovah Witnesses since 1963 and was a faithful witness for his God, Jehovah, right to the end. Even at age 100 he took part in the meetings at the Kingdom Hall and still called on ones at their homes that were interested in the Bible. He lived his life in a fine way and set a good example for others.
We want to extend a big thank you to Dr. Hellison for all the years of good care he gave our dad and for being so kind to him. A thank you also to the hospital staff and doctors, too, for the good care of our father for his last days that he spent in the hospital. A thank you, too, to all our friends and family for all their help and encouragement i