"Larry, thanks for being a good friend and a champion for young people. Jonathan still speaks of the steaks you grilled and leader appreciation event and how much fun it was. Rest in peace my friend. love, jawanda and jonathan mast"
In loving memory of
Lawrence W. Tibbs
Lawrence "Larry" W. Tibbs, died Sunday, June 10, 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona with his loving family by his side. Larry was born in Hollister, California on December 4, 1957 to Gordon and Maxine Tibbs. He graduated from Spring Grove Elementary School and San Benito High School in Hollister. While a youth, he was devoted to Agriculture and actively participated in numerous 4-H and FFA events, garnishing many honors and awards. His goal was to serve youth in an agricultural setting in the future. He graduated from high school in 1976 to follow his father’s footsteps by seeking a career in Ag Education. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, California in 1981 obtaining both his BS and Master’s degrees in Ag Ed. Larry taught high school Agriculture for a number of years in California before changing his career to 4-H involvement by moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon, serving as an Extension Agent there for 6 years. An offer too good to refuse moved him to Arizona to work for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County for the next twelve years as a 4-H Extension Agent specializing in Large Livestock. While involved in his work, he volunteered his time in many leadership positions serving as State President of the Association of Extension 4-H agents for a year in Oregon and two years in Arizona; served three years on the National Board of Extension 4-H Agents, most recently as the Policy Resolutions Chair; served on the Maricopa County Fair Board for 6 years and the Arizona National Livestock Show for several years. He received the Achievement in Service Award from the National Board of Extension 4-H Agents in 1994 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2000. Due to health problems, he took an early retirement in 2008. He is survived by many family members in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 23, at 10 a.m at the Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary Chapel, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale AZ 85254. The reception will immediately follow in the reception hall at the Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Larry Tibbs Scholarship Endowment at the UA Foundation. Donations may be sent to UAF c/o Cooperative Extension, P.O. Box 210036, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036. Two students will be selected to receive an endowment in their senior year of high school to attend the U of A in an agricultural field.
Tributes
"You were a great teacher; I’m sorry I wasn’t always a great student. Later in life,post-Valencia High School; you were a great friend. A great inspiration, a great role model. I will forever miss you and love you my friend and I will never forget you!!!"
"Though I only knew Larry a few years, I really liked him as a person. He had a great heart and a clever wit that I thoroughly enjoyed. Plus he had a courage that everyone had to admire. I will miss him."
"Larry was such an inspiration to many people, me included. Working with him on the NAE4-HA Board as well as attendance at National meetings was an encouragement to me. His dedication to 4-H will continue on in those that he touched and became part of their lives. Larry will be missed but his legacy lives on. Love you my friend."
"I had the privilege of getting to know Larry through his participation with the National 4-H Agents Association. We served on several national and regional committees. I was always impressed by Larry’s kindness and enthusiasm. He was a great teacher and trainer. He always had a smile on his face and seemed to never meet a stranger. Larry will be greatly missed by all. My prayers go to the entire family and Larry’s 4-H family in Arizona. May God bring you comfort in your loss of a great man."
"To Maxine and family, we offer our most sincere condolences on Larry’s passing. We were so impressed with the courage and grace that he showed in dealing with his health issues and how gracious he was to us when we met him at the Tempe Art Fair a few years back. Love, Fran and George"