Joseph Compton

Born at the Orlando Air Force Base Hospital to Col Gordon B., Sr. and Frances Compton, Joe’s family moved to Wichita when his father was stationed at McConnell AFB in 1965. Wichita became his forever home.

Joe worked his way through school as an instructor-lifeguard for the City of Wichita Parks Department at Aley and Edgemoor Pools, graduating from Southeast High School in 1977. Joe’s academic interests were in drafting and computers, which led him to attend and graduate from drafting college. In October 1981 Joe married his childhood friend Brenda McCarthy, of Wichita. During and beyond their 13 year marriage they raised two daughters.

In Joe’s professional life, he began working as a draftsman at KG&E in downtown Wichita. He later worked for Kansas Gas Service (KGS) where he did computer drafting and computer programming. Joe continued working at KGS until retiring in 2016 as the Geographical Information System (GIS) Supervisor, where he managed the Transmission Database for the state of Kansas. He was innovative and at the forefront of this technology for the entire Corporation.

Joe met Shirley McGarrah while working at KGS. He and Shirley, who has two daughters of her own, married December 2006. Joe and Shirley loved watching movies together, cuddling with their dog Maggie and cat Tinker, watching baseball, and enjoyed watching their grandkids play sports.

Joe loved spending his free time boating at the lake and cooking wonderful meals on the grill with his family. He also enjoyed competition target shooting, both pistol and rifle. He achieved NRA Distinguished Expert in handgun. At the gun club, Joe spent countless hours perfecting the art and science of target shooting with his daughters and his closest friends. In his spare time, Joe also enjoyed working on his cars and boat in the garage.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Shirley (McGarrah) Compton; daughters, Jennifer (Travis) Weigel of Auckland, New Zealand, Mallory of Haysville, Kansas, Laurie (Mark) Jones of Oxford, Kansas, and Tracy (Nick) Ratermann, of Manassas, Virginia; grandchildren, Eryk and Kaylynn Weigel; step-grandchildren Alex and Levi Jones, and Dakota and Amber Ratermann; and four great grandchildren. He also is survived by brothers, Bryan (Glenda) Compton of Stillwell, Kansas and Tom (Nancy) Compton of Andover, Kansas, and sisters Jane Joseph of Georgetown, Texas and Katy (Layne) Carter of Wichita, Kansas, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents.

Joe’s family welcomes you at a visitation from 5-7 pm on Friday January 17, 2025 and at his memorial service Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1 pm at Resthaven Mortuary and Gardens of Memory, 11800

W. HWY 54, Wichita, Kansas.