Joe M. Naylor

Joe Myatt Naylor was born April 9, 1923, at Wichita Falls, TX, the younger of two sons, to Kirby and Mary Alice Stephenson. He went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011, due to melanoma cancer. He graduated in 1940 from Thomas Jefferson High School, and immediately enlisted in the U. S. Army Infantry at age 17. He was awarded his pilot’s wings and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1943, and married his high school sweetheart and soul mate, Marion Belle Reese, on October 3rd of that year. They moved to Newburgh, N.Y., where he became an instructor pilot for West Point cadets at Stewart Army Air Field. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin as an architecture major. After WWII, his Air Force career included flying supplies in C-147’s to West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift, and stations around the world, including in Wiesbaden, Germany, and in the Philippine Islands. Following his retirement as a major in 1962, they moved to Sinton, Texas, where he managed the Municipal Airport until 1971. They then returned to San Antonio, where he formed the Seitz and Associates Real Estate Brokerage, later ERA-SITES, from which he later retired. A man of many talents, his diverse interests included farming, gun collecting, jewelry making, vegetable growing, investing, and enjoying frequent family gatherings with his beloved children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including annual reunions at New Braunfels and Mo Ranch. He was preceded in death by his parents and his cousins Light Stephenson, Jr., and Van Naylor, who were like brothers to him. He is survived by his beloved wife Marion, loving daughters Christine Shears and husband Craig, Sally Rein and husband Rick, Brother James K. Naylor and wife Pina, grandchildren Paige Hagenswold and husband Eric, Sara Hovatter and husband Justin, Allison Herring, Matthew Weir and Jennie Rein. Great-grandchildren include Christian and Leyton Hagenswold and Austin, Charlie and Madeline Belle Hovatter. Services in his honor will be held this Saturday, August 27th, 2011, at Laurel Heights Methodist Church, Pastor Jim McClain presiding. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heifer International @ Heifer.com.