Jeffrey Burks Joplin

Jeffrey Burks Joplin was born on August 03, 1961 in Dallas, TX to Ronald Bertrand Joplin and Carolyn Ann Burks Joplin Carroll and passed away September 14, 2019. Jeff attended Wilshire Baptist Church and was a graduate of Hillcrest High School, class of 1979. He earned a BBA in Business from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1987. He married Diane Leigh Wilson on October 16, 1993 at East Dallas Christian Church and they were happily married for over 25 years.

Jeff had a deep love of music, learning to play music by ear. He played bass in multiple bands throughout high school and college, and also played guitar and keyboard. His love of music led him to work at The Melody Shop at NorthPark Mall. He played music throughout his life and enjoyed jamming with childhood friends Perry McKenzie and Norman Stone at The Wigwam.

Jeff worked at Super Shuttle as a driver and dispatch manager; because of this he could get you anywhere in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Jeff loved cars, full-size and model, collecting the latter. He enjoyed his collections, including antique fans, radios and wooden boxes. Jeff also had an extensive library, curated through his love of reading, particularly Ian Fleming James Bond novels, biographies and books on history and philosophy.

Jeff worked at United Advertising Publications where he developed and maintained their first webpage. Jeff continued his work with computers as a self-employed IT Consultant. Jeff enjoyed working with computers, building hard drives and setting up networks for work and for fun.

Jeff and Diane adopted their cat Tabitha, who had a special place in Jeff's heart as his first little girl that he called his “baby doll.” They added to their family with Maggie and Zoe and later took in his mom’s cat Nosey. Jeff adored his girls and took great joy in spending time with them.

Jeff is survived by his wife Diane, mother Carolyn, sister Joan and husband Larry Davis, sister Jayne and husband Bill Germany, nephew Blake Cullum and children Emerson and Harper, niece Caty and husband Kyle Bilton and children Audrey and Presley, nephew Matthew Cullum and husband Clint Chisum, and niece Madlyn Germany. In-laws include Debbie and husband Chuck Cumming, Danny Wilson, Dana and husband Dr. Perry Beckstrom, David and wife Amanda Wilson, nephew Justin Wilson and fiancée Rachel Thomashefski, niece Elizabeth and husband Jeff Miller, niece Megan Wilson, and niece Jordan Wilson and fiancé Kieran Payne. Jeff is also survived by aunt Lynn and uncle Carl Lahser and cousin Charles Lahser along with many East Texas cousins.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father Ronald B. Joplin, grandparents Ruby and Tom Frank Burks and Jefferson Mahon and Ida Mae Joplin Lindley, great-aunt and uncle Clifford and Tom Elrod and his beloved cat Tabitha.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 South Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081 with a reception to immediately follow.

Donations can be made to The American Heart Association and Alzheimer’s Foundation.