Joe DeWayne Garms

Joe DeWayne Garms was born in Olton, Texas on October 5th, 1937. He grew up in San Angelo, Texas and graduated from Lakeview High School. He attended Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, where he met his first wife, Nancy Sample, in Spanish class. They were married in 1959 and upon graduating with a degree in Sociology, Joe joined the Navy and attended Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Following OCS, he and Nancy moved to Great Lakes, Illinois where he was stationed. Their first son, Randy, was born on the naval base there. He eventually followed in Joe’s footsteps and joined the Navy. The family moved back to Texas at the conclusion of Joe’s four years of service, and they settled in Brownfield. Nancy taught elementary school there, and Joe began pursuit of his master’s degree in psychology - and later his Ph.D. - from Texas Tech University. After a brief move to the Dallas area, Joe took a job in Muskogee, Oklahoma where their second son, Lance, was born. They moved to Tulsa shortly thereafter, and it was there that Joe met several of his many lifelong friends.

In 1972, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas and Joe took a job as a psychologist for the school district. He worked several years before starting a private practice, in which he counselled many in the years that followed. Joe and a colleague later built their own office building using salvaged materials from an abandoned factory near Amarillo. He eventually took a position as staff psychologist at the Texas Tech Medical Center, where he remained until Nancy’s passing in 1994.

Joe re-married to Carrie Gateley, and they shared 28 loving years together. This included a move to Germany, where Joe worked at the Air Force Base in Ramstein. Upon returning to the US, they settled in Crockett, Texas and together started the first Habitat for Humanity chapter in that area. Their work resulted in two new houses being built for deserving families, and they were both active in churches and charities in that community. Joe also served on the school board there. Their home in Crockett became the weekend getaway for family and the focal point of many holiday gatherings. After leaving Crockett, Joe and Carrie moved several times to various locations throughout East Texas - including Tyler, Longview, and Gallatin – before settling again in Mansfield.

Joe remains ever-present in spirit and fondly remembered by his wife Carrie, his sons (Randy and Lance), his sister (Mollie Herndon), his “second” children (Marie and husband Gonzalo, Carrie Lea and husband Dennis, Scott and wife Dawn), his daughters-in-law (Vonda and Kathy), his grandchildren (Cory, India, Noah, Josh, Jake, Kendall, Logan, Dennis, Coen, and Luca), his great grandchildren (Ezra, Bostyn and Harper), his siblings-in-law (Ken and Marget Sample), his nieces and nephews (Melonee, Rhonda, Warren, Kirk, Todd and Michael), and countless friends and former colleagues. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Joseph and Mildred, his first wife, Nancy, his mothers-in-law, Beulah Ivie and Doris Sample, his brothers-in-law, Clarence Herndon and Dan Sample, and his first daughter-in-law, Lori Bulman.

Among those who knew him best, he was always a positive influence with a generous heart, an unmatched sense of humor, a fierce devotion to family, and a penchant for giving unsolicited – yet always sound - advice. As the passing of earthly life is inevitable, we are reminded of one of Joe’s many favorite sayings: “The universe is on schedule.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the High Plains Food Bank or other local charity.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joe's honor to the High Plains Food Bank (www.hpfb.org) or other local charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moorebowenroad.com for the Garms family.