Joe Delton Todd was born in Magness, Arkansas on September 16, 1922. He grew up on a farm with ten brothers and sisters. He attended and graduated high school from a one room school house.

He served in the Navy during WWII as a radioman aboard a PT boat which patrolled the Pacific. When stationed in Portland he met the love of his life, Dorothy A. Staino. Near the end of the war, they married and moved to Salem where he worked as a commercial artist for the Coca Cola Company, then moved back to Portland where they raised two daughters.

After moving back to Salem in 1962, he continued to work in the commercial art field until he retired in 1982. He considered Oregon his home, never wanting to leave.

He enjoyed many hobbies over the years and was an avid reader, regularly perusing the library and bookstores. he was a lifelong Democrat and served as Precinct Committeeman. He was one of the first to grow wine grapes in Oregon in the late 1960's. Most importantly he had a great interest in people and had many friends past and present.

He is survived by his daughters, Brenda Todd Manock of Salem, Oregon and Marsha Todd Parker of Mercer Island, Washington; sons-in-law, David I. Manock and Timothy J.? Parker?; five grandchildren, Jonathan and Maia Manock and Sophie, Timmy and Luke Parker; a sister; and many nieces and nephews.

His family and friends loved him dearly and he will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association and the National Democratic Party. A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, November 19th, 2006 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral?Service.?

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