Stephen Griffith Libby died on Aug. 13, 2012 after a valiant struggle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Steve was born to Paul and Rose-Marie Libby on July 4, 1946 in Des Moines, Iowa. Steve was the 3rd child of Paul and Rose-Marie, following two daughters. Of course being their first son and born on the 4th of July made him extra special. Until he was about 8 years old, Steve thought all the picnics and fireworks on the 4th were a celebration of his birthday! How his older sisters loved and encouraged that! In 1951, the Libby family moved to Borger, Texas where Steve graduated from Borger High School in 1964. Inspired by his father, the Panhandle prairies of Texas and family fishing trips to Pearl Lakes, Colo., Steve's love of the outdoors led him to his career choice of Forestry. He attended Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colo. There, he met and married his forever partner and wife, Jeanne Syhre. After graduating in 1970 with a degree in Forest Management, Steve began his 35 year career with the Forest Service, being stationed in Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota and Silver City, N.M. Along with a highly successful career in the Forest Service, there just wasn't much Steve couldn't do if he set his mind to it. Always active and a great sportsman, he taught himself to lay tile, roof a house, black powder shoot (loading his own shot), train his dogs to hunt, (but not to stay off of the furniture), hike, fish, and hunt. Steve was a member of the Backcountry Horsemen. He worked on many projects with the BCH, including several pack-in work projects into the Mimbres River. He worked with the group in clearing miles and miles of trail on the Gila National Forest and had many great adventures with his wonderful friends in BCH. Steve was a member of the Capitan Hi Power Shooting Club and the Franklin Mountain Gun Club, being awarded high power rifle expert by the NRA. He attended many competitions with his good friends and loved shooting. Steve was especially proud of his son who is a special education teacher at Deming High School and his daughter who is a counselor at Zia Middle School in Las Cruces. He adored his beautiful grandchildren and had many happy times with them, canoeing, camping and hiking. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jeanne, of the family home; his son, Stephen G. Libby of Deming, N.M; his daughter, Amy M. Himelright and her children Hannah Marie Himelright, Hailey Mei Himelright and David Thomas Kao Himelright of Las Cruces; his grandchildren's father, David T. Himelright; his mother, Rose-Marie Libby of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two sisters, Paula M. Warrell and her husband, Ed of Colorado Spring, Colo., and Harriette Green of Golden, Colo.; one brother, Paul W. Libby, Jr. and his wife, Sylvia of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Dale Syhre and his wife Susan of Centennial, Colo.; sister-in-law JoAnn Jorgensen and her husband, John of Ashton, Idaho. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Steve is preceded in death by his father, Paul W. Libby, his nephew, Brian D. Dehls, his maternal and paternal grandparents. Steve will be greatly missed by his family, his many friends, and his Forest Service family. Heartfelt thanks from the family to the Southwest Mountain Movers ALS Support Group who provided so much support and caring during this time. Many thanks for the excellent care and support received from Dr. Ladha and the amazing staff of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Mesilla Valley Hospice, and Dr. Patricia Andrews. A memorial service will be held at the Farm and Ranch Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs RD, Las Cruces, August 25, 2012. Friends may arrive between 10 and 10:30, with the service starting at 10:30. Lunch will be served after the service. Donations may be made in Steve's name to the Local ALS Support Group: Southwest Mountain Movers, 4845 Cripple Creek, Las Cruces NM 88011. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Sunset Crematory 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. 527-2222 For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchpaleslascruces.com.
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