Owen Darst Agenbroad

He was born June 30, 1923 to Richard and Jennie (Bradshaw) Agenbroad in Nampa, Idaho. He attended a country grade school and Nampa Junior/Senior High School, graduating with the class of 1941. After graduation, Owen attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa for three semesters. In January 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon completing training at the Recruit Depot in San Diego, Owen was assigned to the Headquarters and Service Company, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. During his tour of duty, Owen served in the Battle of Iwo Jima and served for nine months of Occupation Duty in Sasebo, Kyushu, Japan. After his discharge, Owen farmed for two years south of Nampa. In 1946, Owen met his future wife and the love of his life, Janice Jones also of Nampa. They were married on August 22, 1948 at the Methodist Church in Nampa. The newlyweds moved to Moscow, Idaho where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, with a double major in Agronomy and Horticulture. Two new members joined the family during those years-son Steve in 1951 and daughter Pene in 1952. Upon graduation, Owen secured a job with the Gallatin Valley See Company in Filer, Idaho. Another son, Michael, joined the family in 1954. In 1956, Owen received a Master's Degree in Agriculture. He began his 30-year career as a Research Agronomist for the Green Giant Company in 1958. Some of the highlights of his time spent with the Green Giant Company include: conducting research on sweet corn productivity and adaptability in both France (1974) and Spain (1990); collaborating with a USDA irrigation specialist, they developed a monthly water consumption table in the Columbia Basin; and researched the use of underground drip irrigation.

A community service minded man, particularly working with the youth, Owen helped 16 Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and earned s Silver Beaver ward, the highest award for working with Scouts. He was instrumental in putting a footbridge across the Touchet River, getting a Heliport at Dayton General Hospital and contributed manpower to clear brush and rocks from the future Youth Athletic Complex. He was chair of Lion's district 19F's International Youth Exchange for ten years, which resulted in hosting exchange students from six foreign countries. Each one was welcomed into his family with an open heart.

For at least forty years, he was a strong supporter of the Dayton High School's athletic programs attending not only home games but, traveled with Jan throughout the state to support "his kids". One of his most rewarding experiences in the recent years was participating in the Joint Japanese-American memorial ceremony on Iwo Jima in March 2014. During the ceremony, Owen returned personal belongings to the son of a Japanese soldier who was a casualty of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The focus of his life was his family, and he referred to his wife of 68 years as "The Light of My Life". Survivors include his three children Steve (Connie) Agenbroad, Pene (Keith) Graham, Michael Agenbroad, three grandchildren Stephani (Scott) Lind, Kerri (Mike) Dickson, Kasey Graham, two great grandchildren Devon (Kristyn) Lind, Juston Lind, great-great granddaughter Quinn Lind, a sister Lois Beebe and numerous nieces and nephews. Owen was preceded in death by his wife Jan, his parents, 7 brothers and sisters, and grandson Sean Agenbroad.

A memorial service was held on Monday, October 17, 2017 at 10:30 at Dayton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to: Dayton Young Life, Dayton United Methodist Church, or Hope House in Marsing, Idaho.

Friends and family may share memories and sign the online guestbook at http://www.mountainview-colonialdewitt.com.