Joe Shelby Byrd, 88, died on July 10, 2012. After graduation from Wilcox High School Joe joined the Marine Corp and served until 1945 attaining the rank of Corporal. Joe graduated from ASU and accepted a position working on the universities research farm. He received his Masters degree from ASU in 1966 and continued his career becoming superintendent of the research farm. In addition Joe taught agriculture classes at ASU finally retiring in 1984. He is predeceased by his wife, Marcelene and a son. In 1980 Joe married Maxine Fitch who had four children, one of whom passed away in 2009. Survivors include his wife, Maxine, a sister, brother, six children, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.