Joe B. Dibrell

Judge Joe B. Dibrell, Jr., beloved by so many, passed from this life on Sunday, August 9, 2015. "Joe Jr.," his boyhood name, or "Judge Dibrell," as he was known for 55 years, was born in Coleman, Texas on October 27, 1925, the youngest of six children. Growing up in a big Texas house near a Hords Creek swimming hole, he milked the one cow each day, became very accomplished on the clarinet and saxophone, and was a bit of a "long-hair" high school cut-up. Joe formed life-long close friendships with schoolmates Bob Gardner (who survives him), David Layton, and Jack Russell, who for decades convened annual gatherings of the "boys." Joe was adored by his older siblings, who later sought his wise guidance and thoughtful support. After losing his mother at age 12, Joe revered his father, a respected, busy, West Texas lawyer who encouraged in his son a keen interest in reading, learning, and the law.

At age 18, Joe joined the Army Air Corps and served as a radar technician during the final years of World War II. He did not see combat, but he recalled returning from the service with much greater maturity and dedication to his education. At the University of Texas, Joe studied physics, math, and government, and entered law school at age 24. There he met Jayne Word, a bright, fiery beauty who answered his first phone call, "Joe who?" Soon inseparable, they enjoyed Austin university life together, often out and about in Joe's gray Ford convertible to spots like Caruso's, the Hoffbrau, or, for a fancy date, Green Pastures. Joe and Jayne were married on April 10, 1952, at University Methodist Church. Joe finished law school that spring, and the couple moved to Coleman where Joe began his law practice, and Jayne started her career as a speech therapist in Coleman County schools. Joe and Jayne were loving parents of two children, Will (1953) and Margaret (1956), in whom they encouraged broad curiosity and appreciation for learning and the arts.

Joe was elected Coleman County Attorney in 1954, beginning a life-long passion for government service and politics. Though some close friends and family members had different views, Joe was always proud to be a staunch, liberal, "yellow-dog" Democrat. In 1960, Joe was elected District Judge in the 35th District, covering Coleman, Brown, and McCullough counties. At the time he was the youngest judge in Texas. On special assignment in Midland, Judge Dibrell presided over a hotly-disputed case on whether the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote" should apply to county and local governments, requiring equal precinct populations. He ruled in Avery v. Midland County that the U.S. Constitution did so require. His decision was reversed by Texas appellate courts, but upheld by the U. S. Supreme Court in 1968. Judge Dibrell was a devout believer in the Constitution and always carried with him a pamphlet copy. In 1972, the Judge made a legally correct, but politically disastrous, decision to suppress the prosecution's evidence (marijuana seeds obtained in an illegal search) in a felony possession case against the notorious "Candy Barr." He was defeated in that year's election.

The Judge quickly bounced back and was offered a job in Austin to head up the Law Enforcement Division in John Hill's new administration as Texas Attorney General. He and Jayne moved to Austin in 1973 and enjoyed living in their Enfield home for the next 40 years. Joe and Jayne were each expert, adventuresome cooks, and with several friends they formed a "gourmet dinner club," in which rotating hosts prepared an elaborate feast several times a year. Joe opened an Austin law practice after his service for the Attorney General, but he always knew the job he most loved was being a judge. In 1984, he was privileged to be appointed the first judge of the newly-created 353rd District Court in Travis County, where he served until his retirement in 1992. Judge Dibrell then enjoyed a 20-year association with the Gray & Becker law firm.

Judge Dibrell made countless friends in Austin, including at the Kiwanis Club, where he was a loyal, life-long member. He always had a smile for everyone he knew and met, and it was a rare local political function that he did not attend. Joe and Jayne's return to Austin gave them the opportunity to join the wonderful community at the University United Methodist Church, where they were members for over 40 years. Joe and Jayne enjoyed traveling all over the world, with Friendship Force groups, or with their granddaughter Elinor. They frequently lodged guests in their home, and they hosted many skiing trips with family and friends. They were enthusiastic patrons of music, opera, theater, ballet, visual art, and most anything cultural. They lived a rich and full life.

Joe was deeply devoted to Jayne, caring and loyal to his children and granddaughter, and always loving to his brother and sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins. His family and friends will remember him with great affection for his wonderful, generous spirit. Joe is survived by his wife Jayne, son Will Dibrell, and daughter Margaret Dibrell, all in Austin, granddaughter Elinor Dibrell McClain (San Angelo), nieces Ann Wynia (St. Paul, MN), Jandel Pulcher (Bakersfield, CA), nephews John Petty (Portland, OR), Jim Petty (Davis, CA), Bill Jobe (Snowmass, CO), David Jobe and Debbie (Frisco, TX), many beloved cousins, and extended family members Kerry McKesson, Aymie McKesson, Sadie McKesson, Beverly Bajema, and Lorel and Matthew Hoffman.

A remembrance and celebration of Joe's life, love, and spirit is planned for Sunday, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. at University United Methodist Church in Austin, with reception following. In lieu of flowers, Joe's family invites a gift in his memory to Hospice Austin, Planned Parenthood, or any favorite charitable, educational, or arts organization.