Joe Kenneth Humphrey

Joe was born on November 8, 1937, in a small unincorporated logging community (Pinedale) outside of Huntsville, Texas to Perry G. Humphrey and Lillian Humphrey. He was the youngest of two boys, the elder being Charles Humphrey, who predeceased him. The brothers were two peas in a pod and the lifetime of hilarity that ensued from the pairing of these two given out family many cherished and hilarious memories that help to carry us all through this tremendous loss. If there was a card in the deck that represented Joe, it was the joker. He loved to joke around. Just ask his kids. He also loved to gamble and was “really good at it” according to people named Joe. Additionally, Joe was terrible at golf and loved to play when he was still able. Joe was an intelligent man. Thankfully, he was intelligent enough to know not to gamble at golf.

Joe was married twice in his lifetime the first being to Nona Minchew producing two children one of whom was smart and one of whom was good looking, Gary Humphrey and Teresa “Terri” Robison. Upon Nona’s escape Joe subsequently was wed to Rita McKinney. The union to Rita would be blessed with another pair of children once again containing one that was smart and one that was good looking, Jay Humphrey and Krista Wakefield. Joe remained unmarried for the remainder of his life after Rita escaped for the last time in 1993. While that appeared to be the end of Joe’s love life it was quiet common during that time period to find him trying to hang out with loose slots. He rest now proud of his four children, especially the smart and good-looking ones Terri and Krista, the only two of his offspring to graduate from college. Joe’s sense of humor and wit, in his prime, was one to be reckoned with and it will be dearly missed. He is survived by his four children, two sons-in-law, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and his former co-worker and close family friend Becky Womack (we love you Mrs. Mergle and we thank you for being such an amazing friend to our dad).

For over 30 years Joe Humphrey faithfully aided his fellow Texans in his service to the State Comptroller’s Office under Texas State Comptrollers: Robert S. Calvert (1996-1975), Bob Bullock (1975-1991), John Sharp (1991-1999) and Carol Keeton Strayhorn (1999). Most notably Mr. Humphrey served as Assistant Director of Enforcement of Field Operations under a portion of Mr. Bob Bullock’s tenure. “I love you. I don’t care if you wind up as a janitor. Be the best janitor in the world.” – Joe Humphrey.