Joseph Calvin McBee

Joseph Calvin McBee, 87, of Tyler was born on March 28, 1927, in Wichita Falls and passed away on September 21, 2014, in Tyler. He graduated in 1946 from Wichita Falls High School. He met his future wife in elementary school, and they were married April 5, 1946. Joe's first job was at his dad's shop, Texas Lock and Key. He joined the navy in 1945, serving on the battleship New Jersey and on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.

He worked for Shell Oil Company, and retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone after working 43 years.

Joe's favorite pastime was eating breakfast at Cox's grill with his grandson. There he was known as JoJo.

Joe was a member of West Erwin Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 17 years.

At Bullard ISD Joe was asked to become a "class grandpa" which he did for several years where he was known as "Papa Joe". He volunteered in the technology department and was a member of the Wall of Honor at Bullard High School.

Joe was president of the local barbershop chorus, "The Sound Connection". While living in Wichita Falls, Joe sang daily with a Stamps quartet on the local radio station.

After a stroke, Joe was a resident of Park Place Nursing Home.

He is survived by his wife, Frances; a daughter and son-in-law, Cindi and Howard Galletly, of Flint; and a grandson, Brennan Galletly, of Tyler.

Services will be at 2:00pm, on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at West Erwin Church of Christ with Don Crawford, Danny Snell and Donnie Carnathan officiating. Burial is in Cathedral in the Pines under the direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at Lloyd James on Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 pm.

If desired, memorials may be made to West Erwin Church of Christ, 420 W. Erwin, Tyler, Texas 75702.