Joe Earl Whitaker's Obituary
Joe Earl Whitaker, beloved daddy, paw, brother-in-law, uncle, and dear friend to many changed his address from Garland, Texas to heaven on Sunday, April 24, 2022.
Joe was born on December 20, 1927, in Rochelle, Texas to Harvey and Beulah Whitaker. He was the youngest of six children, four boys and two girls.
Growing up during the depression, everyone pitched in and did their part to make money for the family. When he was tall enough to pull the bag, he picked cotton along with everyone else. He remembered being so hungry, and when he told his mother, she sweetly said, “just drink some more water, son.” Being the youngest, meant wearing all his brothers hand me downs. He would have to put cardboard inside his shoes because they were so worn-out. He and his siblings were often made fun of because they were the poorest family in town. As a young man, he made the determination to break free from the poverty he grew up in.
Joe graduated from Rochelle High Schoolin1945. He played every sport the school had to offer. He was very strong and extremely athletic. He lettered in every sport he played. His favorite was football. In those days, they only had leather caps for helmets. He told many times of getting knocked out during a play and getting hit so hard that his bones hurt. The only sports he did not play were baseball and swimming, and that is only because the school did not offer them.
In 1950 he answered the call from Uncle Sam and joined the Army. He was in several different units, engineering, armored division, cook, and finally an MP unit. He served in the German occupation forces. His distaste for cold weather began when he was overseas. He worked mostly nights and one night the thought he would take his jeep out of town and into the woods. Once there, he parked and went to sleep. The next morning, he found himself surrounded by an armored unit that arrived in the dark of night. He never heard them. He decided it was time to get on out of there. His rank was Corporal.
After the Army, he had several manufacturing jobs in Brady. He worked for one company that built wings for aircrafts, and later they made soft drink machines. Not long after, he became a police officer in Brady, putting his MP training to good use. Army Corporal Whitaker became Sargent Whitaker, Brady PD. At 26, Joe met his soulmate, Earlene Joy. He was not looking to get married, but Earlene had plans for the two of them. Earlene knew something that he did not. They would spend the next 68 years building a beautiful life together, loving each other and their family.
They were blessed with a son, Barrett, and twin sons, Terry, and Garry. Earlene was a twin. Terry and Garry were preemies and never came home from the hospital. Joe was always tearful when he spoke of them. Joe and Earlene were very proud of Barrett. They enjoyed watching him grow and mature into a godly man with a family of his own.
At 21 years old, Barrett married Jackie. They had a son named Joseph. From that point on, Joe and Earlene would be called Paw and Maw. If Barrett were a cake, Joseph would be the icing. They watched Joseph play baseball from the time he was 6 years old. Joseph inherited his athleticism from Paw. They attended birthday parties, school programs, and his high school graduation. Paw gave him his first car!
Paw and Maw moved to Clear Lake upon retirement. They loved it, and Joseph loved it too. He spent a lot of time there. Paw taught him how to shoot from the back deck. Paw also contacted a childhood friend in Rochelle and set up opportunities for Joseph to go deer hunting. Joseph was twenty-three when he married Sierra. Paw and Maw were there! Joseph and Sierra would later have Hazel and Benjamin. They would be the sprinkles on the icing. Paw loved it when they would come to visit. When he was not with them, he would ask to see pictures. Just seeing them made him happy.
During their years at Clear Lake, they were members of First Baptist Church in Branch. They enjoyed Sunday school classes, bible studies, worship, gospel singings, fellowship, and many close friends. Their memories of the time spent at First Baptist Church in Branch were priceless. Though they needed to move to Garland for health reasons, the friendships established in that little church in Branch remained strong.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents; Harvey and Beulah Whitaker; wife, Earlene; sons, Terry, and Garry; brothers, Harvey Jr., James, and Eddie; sisters, Ella Ray Hammondtree and Iris Del Osborn; brothers-in-law, Dick Hammondtree and Ozzy Osborn; sister-in-law, Evelyn; nephew Bryant Hammondtree, and many family members and loved ones.
He is survived by; son, Barrett; daughter-in-law, Jackie; grandson, Joseph (Sierra); great granddaughter, Hazel; great grandson, Benjamin; sister-in-law, Louise; nieces, nephews and a host of family, friends and loved ones. Those who knew him, loved him. He was known for his loving nature, his gentleness, his generosity, and his love for God, family, and country.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside service on Friday, May 6, 2022,at 2:00 pm at Restland Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75243. Interment will be in the Court of Meditation, closest to the North entrance on Greenville
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