Joseph “Joe Baby” Stanley Beaver, Sr., 87, of Seadrift, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 24, 2026. He was born on May 13, 1938, in Palacios, Texas, to the late Fred and Rachel Carter Beaver.
At just 17 years old, Joe married the love of his life, Mary Ethel Holder, on October 10, 1955. Together they built a life rooted in devotion, hard work, and faith, celebrating 70 years of marriage.
Joe completed the 10th grade and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving as a mechanic aboard the USS Midway. Following his years of active duty, Joe became a commercial fisherman, spending decades shrimping, fishing, crabbing, and oystering along the Texas coast until his retirement. He earned his certification in combination welding from the Texas Vocational School in Victoria on April 15, 1976.
At the age of 29, Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at First Baptist Church in Seadrift. His faith became the foundation of his life. He served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, Training Union teacher, RA leader, and volunteer at the church food bank.
Joe was also deeply committed to the Masonic brotherhood. He entered the Apprentice Mason degree on September 19, 1966, passed to Fellow Craft on August 14, 1967, and was raised to Master Mason on August 5, 1968. As a charter member of Seadrift Masonic Lodge #1098, he served as Worshipful Master and later as Senior Steward for many years, where he especially enjoyed cooking for fellow Masons, family, and friends. He was honored to receive both his 50‑year pin and the Golden Trowl.
In his later years, Joe became affectionately known as “Santa Claus” at the Port Lavaca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where he delighted residents by handing out gifts and calling Bingo—often attempting Spanish pronunciations that brought laughter to everyone around him. To the nurses and residents, he was also the beloved “Donut and Muffin Man.”
Joe dedicated countless hours to serving his community. He picked up day‑old bread and pastries from H‑E‑B to distribute to the Baptist and Methodist church food banks. He also volunteered at the Golden Crescent Food Bank in Victoria, where he was recognized as an “Outstanding Volunteer” for his service.
Joe is survived by his children: Joseph Jr. (Laurie), Orval Fred (Tammy), Jeanette Lorane Huckaby (Johnny), Audrey Dianne Bowman, and Donald Dwayne (Fe); 20 grandchildren; 53 great‑grandchildren; 23 great‑great‑grandchildren with two more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; his in‑laws, Orval and Prudence Holder; his brother, Donald Bernes; his sisters, Velta Bass, Vandlean Wittenebert, Evelyn Clark, and Vivian Sprague; his daughter‑in‑law, Suzanne Beaver; his son‑in‑law, Dale Bowman; his grandson, Jordan Armstrong; and his great‑grandsons, Dwight Beaver, Hiram Damron, and Baby Bear Rodriguez.
Serving as pallbearers are Ethan Bowman, Dylan Beaver, Joseph Larue Beaver, Matthew Lashley, Cheyenne Beaver, Trey Beaver, Travis Hopper, Jason Damron, Russell Cady, and Van Cormier. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Seadrift Masonic Lodge #1098.
Visitation will be held at Richardson Colonial Funeral Home in Port Lavaca, Texas, on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Seadrift, Texas, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Aaron Coporon officiating. A Masonic and military interment will follow at Seadrift Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Gwyn Minatree and the staff of Harbor Hospice especially Stephanie Yanez and Claudia Erazo for the care given to our dad.
