Obituary of Joseph James Lane

Joseph James Lane III, born September 16, 1935, in Roswell, New Mexico, and passed away March 6, 2014, in Tucson Arizona. Joe was born and raised on the Lane family ranches in Arizona and New Mexico. He went to Elementary school in Willcox, Arizona, High School at the New Mexico Military Academy in Roswell, NM, and received his Bachelor Degree in Agriculture from the University of Arizona in Tucson. After his graduation in 1957, he served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the Armor Division in Killeen, Texas, until 1960. Joe owned ranches in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. He always considered himself a Cattleman and spent the majority of his ranching career on the O Bar O Ranch north of Willcox at Bonita, Arizona. He sold this ranch in 1983 to devote his full time to government service in Arizona. Joe served in the Arizona Legislature from 1978 to 1988 and was Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 38th Legislature (1987 - 1988). He subsequently served as an Aide to Governors Fife Symington and Jane Hull. Joe was Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture Brand Department until his retirement. Not one to be idle, Joe contributed his time to numerous organizations. He was a past President of the Arizona Cattle Growers' Association. Joe served as Chairman of the Arizona State Transportation Board. He also held the Chairman position of the Arizona Chapter of the American Heart Association in 1993. Joe received the University of Arizona College of Agriculture Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was named Cattleman of the Year in 2007 by the Arizona Cattle Grower's Association. Joe is survived by his brother, Charles B. "Doc" (Patti); his son, Walter (Karen); his daughter, Nora (Phil); his daughter, Denise; and ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wives, Mari and Susan. Joe will be missed greatly by the many people whose lives he touched. Please contact The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research , Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777, www.michaeljfox.org if you wish to make a donation in Joe's name. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel.