Dennis Joe Wells

Dennis “Joe” Wells, after a brief but fierce battle against cancer, flew to his Lord on July 21, 2025 in Burleson, Texas. A visitation at Laurel Land on Crowley Road will be held Monday, August 04, 2025 at 10:00, funeral service at 11:00 followed by 1:15 pm burial at the Dallas National Cemetery. Aiding the service will be Pastor David Geiger and pallbearers Nelson Wells, Steve Shephard, Greg Castator, Stan Chasteen, Dwight Wells and Russell Conley.

He was a beloved father; grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was born on June 26, 1943 in Brownwood, Texas; the fifth of five children born to Elmo and Ruth Wells. Joe graduated from Brownwood High School in 1961. Soon after graduation he joined the US Navy where he spent the next few years.

In 1965 he met and married Polly Simonton and adopted her son Zachary Kent. He moved his family of three to Mineral Wells in 1967 where he owned and ran a full service Gulf gas station. In 1968 their daughter, Rena Carol, was born. In 1973 the Gulf station was sold and the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas where for years Joe worked for Gearhart & Pengo Industries as a heavy equipment welder.

In November 1985 Joe married Dorothy Gene Pittman at her home in Burleson, Texas. They loved traveling through the United States but mostly throughout Texas. Joe was known for taking the back roads, saying those are the best sights and are not available along the interstates and main highways; cannot say all his family enjoyed these back road detours.

Before he retired in 2005 he was employed by Parker Strato-Flex as a construction assembler of heavy equipment. Joe had the ability to understand construction projects from the designing phase to the completion. He always said this ability came from working with his father who always developed his projects in his head and not on paper.

During retirement Joe attended ministerial studies at Calvary Cathedral International in Fort Worth, Texas; he was ordained as a preacher of the Gospel. He loved spending time at retirement communities presenting devotions and visiting the residents.

He loved to tell stories about his memories; there were stories of bird hunting and fishing with his dad and brothers, pranks at family gatherings, playing “King of the Hill” with his nephews. Joe loved being the “adult” child at any gatherings. He enjoyed crafts, writing short stories and even wrote some poems. In the Wells’ family book of memories he wrote; “Spring brings wild flowers to our yard, the red bud is breaking blooms, the dogwood is showing signs of blooms, our peach trees and pear tree are blooming, azaleas are in bloom, my wife Dottie is happy and I can smell the sweetness in the air; I say Thank-You Lord. Thank you for loving the Wells families all these years”.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Ruth Day Wells, his wife Dorothy and two brothers Elmer and Elton Wells. He is survived by his son Zachary Kent Wells and daughter Rena Carol Wilson of Burleson, Texas, four grandchildren Brandy Rice, Mandy Covington, Kara Johnson and Joseph Wells; nine great-grandchildren Adam Rice, Angel Rice, Colton Covington, Caden Covington, Cutter Covington, Anthony Woods, Preston Johnson, Parker Wells, Lilliana Wells and three great-great-grandchildren; one sister Carolyn Rohrer of Florida, sister-in-law Claudia Wells of Brownwood, brother Reggie & wife Myrna Wells of Burleson, five step-children Janice & Jimmy Martin, Michael Pittman, Peggy Ballinger Thomason, Dale & Pam Pittman and Steven & Teddie Pittman and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He will be deeply missed by many. The family wishes to send their many thanks to the Faith Presbyterian Hospice for the end of life care.