Joe is a native Texan – born in Tyler, but raised in Shreveport, Louisiana.   Joe attended C.E. Byrd High School, Louisiana’s largest 6A School, where he was the Track Team Captain.  With a full athletic scholarship, Joe became a SMU Mustang.

After graduation from SMU, Joe entered the U.S. Navy.  He had two deployments during the Vietnam War. Over the years, he served aboard several ships and shore commands.  To complete his 34-year career, he participated in Operation Desert Storm / Desert Shield.  His final afloat duty was aboard the aircraft carrier, USS ENTERPRISE.

In retirement, Joe’s passion has been Public Service.  Some of his projects included being the Founder or Co-Founder of: United Way of Wise County, TX; Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and Museum; LaGrange High School Navy JROTC, Lake Charles, LA; Sulphur, LA Sunrise Rotary Club; Southwest Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame; Literacy Councils for Southwest Louisiana.

Joe also served as Field Director for U.S. Congressman of Louisiana’s 3rd District and Regional Coordinator for FEMA following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustov and Ike.

A resident of Corsicana for seven and one-half years, Joe has served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Navarro County.  He the first CEO of the Texas Veterans Parade and the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument.   Joe co-founded the Dolly Parton “Imagination Library” in Navarro County.  To date, over one-thousand youth have been served with free books.  He has served with the Coyote Squadron, Commemorative Air Force. 

The James Blair Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Navarro County, presented Joe with the National DAR Founders Medal for Patriotism. In December 2023, he was the Grand Marshal of the Corsicana Annual Lighted Christmas Parade. Joe was the Co-Grand Marshal of the 2024 Texas Veterans Parade.

Joe and wife, Janis, are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he serves as an Elder, member of the Church Session (Board) and is Chair of the Safety Committee.