J. Joseph Tite

J. Joseph Tite passed away peacefully of natural causes Tuesday evening November 4, 2025 in the presence of his wife and a Hospice Chaplain. He was 95 years old and had been living at the Quail Meadows Assisted Living Center in North Ogden for the past year. 

J. Joseph (Joe) was born August 25, 1930 in Ogden, Utah to Joseph and Elva Tite. He attended Pingree and later Polk Elementary Schools, Central Junior High School, and graduated from Ogden High in 1948. He went on to study as well as participate in the ROTC Programs at Weber State College and the University of Utah, graduating from the U of U in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy and also a Teaching Certificate. Joe pursued graduate studies for a Masters in Philosophy at the University of Utah from 1952-53, working in the Summer at Hill Field in their photography lab and began teaching that Fall at Mt. Fort Junior High School.

Joseph married Carol Jean Tree on June 24, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three children. Joe left teaching in 1955, and began work with the 1st District Juvenile Court in Ogden as a Probation Officer. In 1960, he tried to enlist in the Air Force, but was 6 months too old to become a pilot, which was what he wanted. In 1962, he received a probationary appointment to the FBI in a letter from then Director J. Edgar Hoover, but after a trip to Quantico for training, returned home, asking the FBI for a later reporting date as he didn’t want to be away from home because their third child had just been born. Although he received a second somewhat unprecedented recruitment offer by the FBI, Joe decided it wasn’t for him and took a job with Adult Probation and Parole. Later, when an opening became available, he left AP&P, returning again to the Juvenile Court as a Probation Officer and also a Referee which is similar to a Judge. He worked on writing and passage of the Juvenile Court Act (1965), was Instrumental in bringing a Mental Health Center to Weber County and the building of the MOWEDA Youth Home. In 1971, Joe was appointed Director of Court Services for the 1st District Juvenile Court, a position he served in until his retirement in 1987.

During his time with the court, Joe received numerous awards and honors including a Certificate of Community Service from Weber Basin Job Corps (1975) where he was Chairman of the Community Relations Council from 1977-78. He was instrumental in the planning, building of the first State Juvenile Court Facility in Farmington, UT (1980) and was recognized by the Board of Juvenile Court Judges for 30 years of “Outstanding and Devoted Service to the First District Juvenile Court and for His Effective Leadership in Shaping Utah’s Juvenile Justice System” (1985). Also in 1985, he received the Juvenile Corrections Award For Outstanding Service to Youth and the Juvenile Justice System. Later that year, he received Recognition for Excellence in Service, Commitment and Leadership on the 20th Anniversary of the Juvenile Court Act.

In 1987, after 32 years with the court, Joe retired and received a Letter of Thank You and Recognition from State of Utah Chief Justice Gordon R. Hall stating, “As a result of your leadership, the impact you have had on the Juvenile Court is immeasurable and will continue to influence the court’s direction for many years to come.” The letter went on to state, “One of your most significant contributions was the passage of the 1965 Juvenile Court Act. This historical legislation removed the court from the executive branch and properly placed it in the judicial branch.” He also received a Letter of Congratulations on his retirement from then Governor Norman A. Bangerter praising his devoted service to the State of Utah and stating “You are held in the highest esteem by your colleagues and peers in the juvenile justice field, . . .”

Joe enjoyed trips with his family, jeeping, motorcycle riding, bicycling, and was an avid skier for many years including teaching skiing at Powder Mountain in 1973-74. He also practiced photography and in 1995 at the age of 65, was awarded a Certificate of Graduation in Professional Photography from the New York Institute of Photography. From 1997-2000, he entered his photographs often in the Weber County Fair winning numerous Best of Show, First Place and other ribbons. 

Joe was preceded in death by his father (1941), his mother (1983), his older sister Ruth Bischoff (2014) and brother-in-law Robert Bischoff (2001). He is survived by his wife, Carol, his three children Winston, Vachel Dabbs (Corey-deceased), Janae Taylor (Kenny) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 N. Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment at Ogden City Cemetery.

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