Joseph Alphonsus Mehan

Rosary is at 7 p.m. Thursday May 11 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 950 Trails Parkway in Garland TX 75043; Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon Friday May 12 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, Garland; interment 4 p.m. at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas TX 75220. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to Trinity Missions and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Born May 31, 1927, in Kansas City MO, Joe was the youngest of the four children of R. I. And Elizabeth Delany Mehan. He had a peripatetic childhood, living in Galveston, San Antonio, St. Louis, Chicago, and Wichita KS, before becoming a student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman at just 14. Graduating from OU in 1945 just prior to his 18th birthday, he moved to Dallas that same year to take a position with the Atlantic Refining Company, later Atlantic Richfield, then ARCO, as a petroleum engineer and economist. During his 40-year career there, he was part of the team that negotiated the opening of the Kuwaiti oilfields, remembering his time in the Middle East with great fondness. He was also instrumental in the development of the Prudhoe Bay site and the Trans-Canadian pipeline, as well as other projects.

Joe was a member of the Dallas Economists Club for many years, serving as an officer on occasion. He was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, a cornerstone of ARCO’s Speaker’s Bureau until his retirement from ARCO in 1985, served on the transportation commission during the planning stages of what would become DART, taught mathematics in the public schools, and more. He was a member of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Foundation, the Association of the US Army (despite having been too young to be called up for service in WWII), and the Loyal Knights of Old Trusty of the University of Oklahoma. He never missed an opportunity to be of service to others.

In 1948, on a blind date, he met the love of his life, Louise Conway; they married in 1950 and raised 7 children together, first in the house on Nash Dr in Garland, then in the spacious Dallas home he designed for his growing family in 1958. He was an exemplary father and grandfather, always finding ways to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Nor did he favor the boys over the girls, believing that each of us had the potential to become anything we desired. He taught his daughters, by example, what to look for in a husband; and showed his son and grandsons that Real Men are not ashamed to take on even the most mundane of household chores (be it mopping floors, shopping for groceries, or changing diapers). He was a mathematical genius and a skilled engineer, but also a gourmet cook, accomplished baker, and master of carving technique. He enjoyed gardening, family vacations, and bicycling around the neighborhood with his children.

Joe was Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 43 and later a Commissioner of Scouting for the White Buffalo District of Circle Ten Council), during which time he received the Order of the Arrow, Silver Beaver Award, the Buch-Snead Award, the St. George Medal, and many other honors, as well as having a service award named after him. He chaired the Catholic Committee on Scouting in the Dallas Diocese for many years; his duties there included reviewing Catholic Scouting award applications for thousands of boys, organizing the annual Scout Retreat, and promoting Catholic Scouting in general. He was an enthusiastic camper and hiker. At the age of 47 he went on his first Trek at Philmont Scout Ranch; he returned often, accompanied by his son 4 times, and eventually by 4 of his grandsons. His ninth and last Trek was accomplished at age 70. Although proud of all his children and grandchildren, he was especially gratified that 8 of his grandsons had achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Joe attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church for over 50 years, where he was a member of the Altar Society and the Holy Name Society; he also served as Eucharistic Minister for decades, including over 20 years taking the Holy Eucharist to the sick and homebound. He was active in support of S.T.A. school as well, chairing the parish carnival and other events on several occasions. He was a proud booster of Bishop Lynch High School, which all 7 of his children attended, going so far as putting “sweat equity” into building the original Roffino Stadium there, as well as participating in the fundraising for same. He was an honorary member of the Ladies of Charity—picking up donations and doing their heavy lifting— a frequent visitor at Montserrat Retreat Center, and enthusiastically supported the Church’s many works in a multitude of other ways. He was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus life member of Council 799, became a 4th Degree Knight in 1968, and served in the Fr. Abram J. Ryan Color Corps from 1968 to 2008. He was also a member of Alhambra, another Catholic fraternal organization, for a number of years. On February 22, 2014, he received the Bishop’s Award for Service to the Church. He was both humbled and exalted to see his son Joseph Jr. ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1996.

He is survived by Louise, his wife of 67 years; children Ruth (Bob) Uhl of Denver CO, Helen (Timothy Walsh) of San Marcos TX, Fr. Joseph of St. Michael the Archangel in Garland, Joy (Dan Carson) of Ft Worth, Genevieve (Glenn Harmon) of Trimble MO, Emilie (Ed) McVey of Hershey PA, and Grace of Garland. Also 14 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and his adoring public. He is already greatly missed.

Arrangements under the direction of Sparkman-Crane Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.