Lonnie LeRoy Corbitt

CORBITT Lonnie Leroy Corbitt born September 22, 1936 in Elida, New Mexico, passed away January 8, 2013. Loved by Maria, family, friends and numerous appreciative students. Leroy was special to all who knew him. He was a good man with a fine character, who enjoyed life, read widely, learned constantly, and always remained optimistic. He appreciated our mountains and explored and wrote about their rock formations. Leroy truly enjoyed studying these natural wonders. Leroy valued education. He earned a BS in Geology from Eastern New Mexico University in 1960, and a Masters degree from Southern Illinois University in 1966. Leroy served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, receiving an honorable discharge in 1968. He completed a PhD at the University of New Mexico in 1971, was a geology professor at Eastern New Mexico 1970-1978, and taught at Western New Mexico University 1973-1974. Leroy worked as a professional geologist in the oil industry from 1979 to 1988. Thereafter he researched and published on the geology of the southwest, and served as an engaging geology instructor at the El Paso Community College from 1988-2012. Preceded in death by his parents Lonnie and Ruth Gore Corbitt. Leroy grew up in Elida and Tatum, New Mexico, along with a sister, Betty, who survives him, and nephews and nieces. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 10:30am at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast.