In Loving Memory of Norman, Jr. Winfield Libby

Junior Libby, AGE 78, DIED Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in Clayton, New Mexico.

Graveside services were held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the Libby Ranch by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.  A Celebration of Life will be held in future warmer times.

Norman Winfield Libby, Jr. Was born on January 1, 1946, in Clayton, New Mexico to Norman Winfield Libby, Sr. And Esther (CdeBaca) Libby. Jr was the 5th born child of 6, of Norman and Esther Libby. He grew up on the family ranch running the pastures, hills, and creek with his siblings as the sharp shooting protector and hunter. He loved taking care of show cattle and assured he and his sisters did very well. winning many grand championships at the state level. He attended the schoolhouse in Rosebud and the school in Amistad then Clayton. He was an altar boy and was raised knowing of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Highschool he began being moved from school to school at great distances: Arizona, New Mexico Military Institute, and graduating in Santa Fe at St. Michael’s High School. He spoke with great respect and love toward the couple who took him in his senior year, up through his last year of life. After high school Jr. stayed put through completion of college in Las Cruces at NMSU where he married June and had two beautiful daughters, Lisa and Leslie. Jr. was enlisted in the Army National Guard, though losing some fingers prevented him from deploying, he was always a patriotic man who loved our country and supported all who serve to protect it. After college, he worked in the industrial side of agriculture in feedlots and then meat factories for a few years. In his last days, he shared that he didn’t like the culture toward employees from management and owners, so he decided to return to ranching which he loved and did for the rest of his life. He knew and participated in every part of the business in his lifetime and was a successful businessman and rancher. While Lisa and Leslie were still young, he divorced and soon met Wendy Van Pelt, whom he stayed with for the rest of his life after marrying on August 9th 1975. They had three children together in the 80s: Tres, Cole, and Megan. Jr. lived an adventurous life filled with friends and family. He supported his children in every phase of their lives and loved them at their worst and bests. Jr. suffered the disease of alcoholism which was at its worst for the final 2-3 years of his life and caught up to him to the point of his death on November 26th, 2024.  He is preceded in death by his oldest brother Freddy, his parents, all of his aunts and uncles, his brother Chappy, sister Tacy, grandson Kayle, brother-in-law Mike Levis, niece Yancee Levis, college roommate and lifelong friend Dan Moriarty, niece Lauren Levis, and many other friends and family, as well as many dogs, horses, mules, and donkeys.

SURVIVORS:

Jr. is survived by his first wife June and his wife Wendy. He is also survived by all of his children and many grandchildren, and a few great-grandchildren. Lisa Davis and her husband Buddy Davis. Lisa’s children Rusty Libby and his partner Celeste and Braden Thurston and his fiancé Ashley. Great grandchildren from Rusty: Ayla, Odin, Zeus, and Calista. His daughter Leslie Libby. His son Tres Libby and his wife Coleen and their children Madison, Nathan, and Colton. His daughter Morgan (Nicole) Sablotny and her husband John Sablotny and their son Clayton. As well as survived by his daughter Megan Olberg and her husband Travis Olberg and their son Kyndric. Junior is also survived by older sister Tuda and little sister Mary, as well as many friends, nephews, nieces, and cousins.