Joe Burkett

Born in Houston, Texas, he graduated from Galena Park High School and attended the University of Houston. Joe lived a life dedicated to the Lord, his family and the love of his work.

Joe worked on the Houston ship channel all his life starting with West India Line in 1970 at the age of 22. Joe learned the business from top to bottom, from facility management to stevedoring and heavy lift, eventually becoming the manager of the dock facility. Over the coming years Joe moved-on to become the general manager of the Care Shipping Terminal and a fixture in the Houston ship channel business community.

Following his stint with Care Terminal Joe helped start, and build, Texas Terminals LP in 1995. Never one to ride a desk all day, Joe could often be found onboard a visiting vessel or overseeing terminal operations from the yard. His hands-on management style and authenticity garnered him the admiration and respect of his employees.

Under his guidance the company would grow to employ more than 150 employees and be home to the largest crawler crane on the entire Houston ship channel. In addition to a passion for his work, Joe was also passionate about his faith. He took great satisfaction from his role as Sunday School teacher. He taught six grade boys Sunday school for more than 10 years at Sagemont Church in Houston and was proud to provide each of his students with a Bible on which their names were engraved.

Joe was preceded in death by parents Claude and Edrie Burkett; brothers Gerald and Kenneth Burkett, sisters Peggy Scott and Carol Burnett and sister-in-law Sherry Burkett.

He is survived by his wife Jill Burkett; son Robert Burkett of Houston; daughter Carrie Burkett of College Station; siblings: Edward Burkett, Bertha and Ronnie Briggs of Ledbetter, Russell Burkett of Lincoln, and Deana and Andy Wheeler of Lake Jackson, Texas.

Visitation begins at noon on Saturday July 19, 2025, followed by the memorial service at 2:00pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.