Representative Jay C. Colburn View All Years

JAY C. COLBURN

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Jay C. Colburn, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Jay C. Colburn was born August 6, 1893, on a farm west of Harlan, Iowa, the son of pioneer parents, William K. Colburn of Greigsville, New York, and Hattie R. Bowerman of Hillsdale, Michigan. He attended schools in Harlan, Iowa, and was graduated from Simpson College.

On September 1, 1915, Mr. Colburn was married to Alvah Ruth Anderson of Kirkman, Iowa, and moved to a farm in Harlan, Iowa, the same year. They had two children, one son, Jay Colburn, Jr., and one daughter, Norma. His first wife, Alvah, predeceased him on July 6, 1950. On December 15, 1951, he married Marie Hufford-Randall, who survives.

Mr. Colburn was a member of the Masonic orders: Parion Lodge A. F. and A. M., Royal Arch, Knights Templar of Harlan, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine of Des Moines; the Elks, and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He was a director of the Iowa Fund, Inc. Mr. Colburn farmed for thirty years and owned and operated three farms near Harlan. He was a lifetime member of the Harlan Methodist Church. From 1957 to July 1, 1961, Mr. Colburn was a deputy director of the continuity of government program for Federal Civil Defense Mobilization, under the Executive Office of the President. Former Governor Norman A. Erbe appointed him to the Iowa Liquor Control Commission and he served one term beginning July 1, 1961.

Mr. Colburn was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives from Shelby County in 1941 and served during the Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fiftieth Extra, Fifty-first and Fifty-sixth General Assemblies, and was elected to the Iowa Senate in 1947 from Shelby and Cass Counties and served in the Fifty-second, Fifty-second Extra, Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth General Assemblies. He served as chairman of the Senate committees on Appropriations, Way and Means, Insurance and Motor Vehicles; and from 1951 to 1957 was chairman of the powerful Legislative Interim Committee. Mr. Colburn passed away on October 24, 1974, at the age of 81 years. He is survived by his wife, Marie; one son, one daughter and seven grandchildren.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-sixth General Assembly of Iowa: That in the passing of Jay C. Colburn, the state has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the Senate by this resolution would express its appreciation of his services to his community, state and nation and tender its sympathy and kindest regards to the members of his family.

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the Senate, and that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

LOUIS P. CULVER, Chairman

WILLIAM E. GLUBA

ELIZABETH SHAW

Committee

The resolution was unanimously adopted.