Joe L. Bullock

Granbury – Joe L. Bullock 81, passed away on December 13, 2013 in his home in Granbury, Texas with his wife by his side. A private graveside service will be held at Holly Hills Memorial Park in Granbury on Monday, December 16.

Joe was born January 25, 1932 in Carlsbad, NM to Grace and Joe Bullock. He graduated from Woodville High School in Woodville, MS in 1950 and went on to receive his Bachelors of Business Administration from Texas Tech University in 1954. Upon graduation, Joe moved to New Iberia, LA to work in the accounting department for Texaco. While in New Iberia he met the love of his life, JoLynn Calk, and they were married there on July 19, 1957. Shortly after his marriage to JoLynn, Joe made the most important decision of his life when he chose to put on his Lord in baptism on July 24, 1957. The first years of marriage were busy ones as Joe and JoLynn welcomed two boys, Joe Dell and Robert, into their family.

In 1965, Joe and JoLynn relocated to Houston, Texas where Joe continued his work with Texaco and they welcomed their third child, April. Joe continued his work at Texaco until 1979 when he made the decision to go into business for himself as a Farmers Insurance Agent. Joe’s top priority was exceptional customer service and he worked diligently to ensure that all of his client’s accounts were well managed.

Along the way, Joe continued to grow in his faith and was always an avid student of the Bible, a beloved Bible class teacher and a committed evangelist bringing many to Christ through one-on-one Bible study (with a little help from the Jule Miller film strip series). In 1987, Joe took on the responsibility of shepherding the flock at Lake Houston Church of Christ where he served as an elder for more than 7 years.

In 1994, Joe and JoLynn left Houston and moved to Granbury to be closer to their beloved children and grandchildren. A few short years later in 1996, Joe suffered a massive stroke leaving him severely disabled for the final 17 years of his life.

Joe’s life was characterized by his love for the Lord and his unwavering commitment to bring others to Christ, by his unconditional love and abiding dedication to his family and by his strong work ethic that he instilled in all of his children. Perhaps Joe’s truest characteristics of kindness, gentleness and contentment became most evident during the 17 years of his life where he found himself trapped in a body that no longer functioned as designed. Left with an inability to walk or talk, he displayed true grace and dignity as he persevered with a deep sense of peace and contentment. Joe truly understood what Paul meant in Philippians 4 when he said “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”.

He had the knowledge and confidence that he would one day live eternally in heaven where he would receive a new body that would be without limitation. The day of his great reward finally came on December 13, 2013.

Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, JoLynn Bullock, his three children Joe Dell Bullock and wife Emily, Robert Bullock and wife Melanie, April Anthony and her husband Mark. Joe is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Tyler Bullock and his wife Kimberly, Brenna Blacklock and her husband David, Taren Bullock, Calee Wilson and her husband Stephen, Ashlyn, Luke and Allie Anthony and 2 great-grandchildren, Maddy Blacklock and Krew Bullock. Additionally, Joe is survived by his brother’s Elmore Bullock, Mike Schoolcraft and his brother-in-law, Curtis Mills.

Joe’s family would like to thank all those who provided him with exceptional care during the final weeks and months of his life including the staff at Encompass Home Health and Texas Hospice. In particular, the family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Pam Knight, his personal caregiver, who cared for him continuously during the final weeks of his life. Pam truly demonstrated an amazing level of love, concern and compassion for both Joe and JoLynn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Joe and JoLynn Bullock Endowed Scholarship at Abilene Christian University.