Joseph Ahad Elsmore (75) passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of August 8, 2020. Joe was born on June 24, 1945 in Logan, Utah.  He was adopted by Lowell and Louisa (Hansen) Elsmore.  Eighteen months later, they also adopted his brother, Reed.  Joe grew up on the family farm and ranch in Thatcher, Idaho.  The only time he was away from the farm was when his parents went on a mission to Boone, Iowa and they took the two boys with them.

Joe went to elementary school in Thatcher, Idaho and Boone, Iowa.  He went to high school in Grace, Idaho, where he played football and was the manager of the boys' basketball team.  He graduated from Grace high school.  He went to Utah State University for a short time, where he met Diane Grotegut.  They were married in Spanish Fork, Utah, on December 18, 1965.  They moved to the family farm and ranch and two children, Stacey Lee and Roger J., were born.  Joe helped on the farm and ranch and Diane taught school.  Joe took over the farm and ranch when his father passed away.

Joe was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was the second counselor in the Sunday school presidency.  He was also a home teacher for many years.  Joe was on the Caribou County fair board for nine years and coached girls' basketball for 19 years.  He was the secretary/manager for the Gentile Valley Land & Cattle Co. for 29 years and was a board member of the Eastern Idaho Grazing Association.

Joe' s hobbies included snowmobiling in the winter and jackpot team roping in the summer.  He also enjoyed team penning at the fair.  Later, he enjoyed going to the Dodge national finals rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, every year.  Joe's greatest love would be going out north to Gray's Lake.  He loved riding horses, moving cattle, fencing, building and maintaining electric fences, checking water for the cattle, and driving around in the Kubota checking on everything.

Joe is survived by his wife, Diane, and 2 children, Stacey and Roger.  He has 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.   He recently found his birth family and is survived by four sisters, Deidre, Melanie, Keree, and Elise Jens.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Louisa Elsmore and his brother, Reed Elsmore.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at the Thatcher Cemetery at 11 a.m.