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Joe Crosby
December 7, 1919 - April 19, 1989
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South Pasadena, California: President of California Liquid Fertilizer Company, Pasadena. Active Republican having served on many legislator's campagin committees including being a delegate four times - National Republican Conventions for Ronald Reagan. Served nine years as a Reagan appointee as a public member of the California State Geology and Geophysics Board of Registrations. Past National President Lawn & Garden Distributors. Past Associate Editor of both the California Citrograph and the California Farmer. First Lieutenant - pilot - B29 World War II. Married classmate Jane Aldridge '37, two sons and four grandchildren.
The Grand Reunion Volume I, 1907 - 1982, May 1982
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William M Crosby (1963)
My dad was a wonderful man. A pillar of the community and a role model in many ways. Born in Bishop,
Califkrnia Dec. 7, 1919, he had various jobs as a teenager to assist his family during the hard times in the thirties. He found enough time to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Dad met my mom Jane Aldrige at South Pas High School and they were married in August of 1937.
Dad enlisted in the Air Force and was an instructor of B-29 pilots, stationed in Louisiana until he was about to go overseas when the war ended. He was honorably discharged with the dank of Lieutenant.
In the late '40's he joined my grandfather Joseph Junius Crosby in the California Liquid Fertilizer Company in Pasadena. Over the next thirty plus years its liquid fertilizer, garden supply and related products were on the shelves of nurseries throughout Southern California. When my grandfather died in 1960 Dad was president with my uncle Warren Weber as co-owner. It was sold in an all cash transaction in 1984.
In 1948 I had a serious case of polio. Dad helped me regain my strength with therapy sessions at our home on Milan Avenue. We moved to a spacious home with a red barn iin 1952. As his business prospered Mom influenced him to become involved in Republican politics. In 1966 He was state chairman of United Republicans
of California. I have a picture of Dad introducing Ronald Reagan at a banquet with my mom standing by, beaming. He and mom later were regulars at state Republican conventions and delegates to five national GOP conventions. He was appointed by Governor Deukmejian to the State Geology Board.
In the 60's Mom and Dad purchased a home on Newport Island and a few years later bay front property on the Newport peninsula. This became their weekend retreat and the sight of many boat parade and other parties.
Around 1986 Dad was elected to the South Pasadena city council. He was a cofounder of First Arroyo Bank. He was Mayor Pro Tem when he passed away at age 69 from liver cancer in April of 1989. He was a beloved and highly respected man. He left my mom very well off so she could enjoy the remainder of her life in the style she deserved.
Rest in peace Dad. Bill Crosby