Joe Cope

Joe Bill Cope was born on February 16, 1925 in Newcastle, Texas. It wasn’t in a hospital or clinic. His mom and dad, Trula and Clevie, went to Newcastle because that is where her parents lived and Joe’s birth took place at their house. Joe left us, Monday, November 4, 2013. It was about five months ago when doctors discovered he had blood disorders which left him growing weaker and weaker. He drew his last breath on Monday morning.

Joe’s family home was in Graham, Texas. He had one sibling, his younger sister, Linta Austin. All of his schooling took place there where he graduated from Graham High School on May 22, 1942. When he graduated he intended to enlist in the military, but he was only 17 years old and his mother wouldn’t sign the permission paper for him. Waiting for his 18th birthday, he went to California where a cousin was working and he worked there for some months until he returned home and eventually received his draft notice.

Joe’s enlistment date is recorded as June 15, 1943. He wanted to be in the Air Force, but during the admission process was so anxious, he failed the blood pressure test two or three times. Although he didn’t qualify for the Air Force, the Army didn’t have any trouble taking him for the infantry.

Later during his training he was able to apply for duty in the Army Air Corp and he completed training as a radio operator and machine gunner, and was assigned to a B-26 crew in Europe. He flew on 14 separate bombing missions during a little over 30 days. At that time the American forces had pushed German forces back so far that the needed air support was beyond the range of the B-26. It was only about 30 days after his last mission when when Germany surrendered and the war was over. Joe was honorably discharged on February 22, 1946 with the rank of a sergeant.

After his military time, Joe began his college work and that brought him to Lubbock in 1946, where he enrolled in Texas Technological College. This also marks the time when he made the Broadway congregation his church home. A couple of years later, at a Broadway “Bible Chair” event, he met a cute girl, Jerrye Jane Sullivan who had transferred to Texas Tech from San Angelo College. Their courtship led to their marriage on January 28, 1950. Those promises wedding vows lasted them more than 63 faithful years.

Joe’s faith in God and love of Christ was the foundation of his life. It was expressed as he supported the work of the Broadway church. He served in many ways with the church, the Children’s Home, and Lubbock Christian University. He was humbled to be asked to serve as an elder at the Broadway church. He filled that role for about 10 years, beginning in March 25, 1979.

For most who knew him, he was also remembered because of his career with Kerr Construction. Joe graduated from Tech with a Civil Engineering degree. Although he had lined up a Job with the Texas Highway Department, Roy Burnam, a friend and mentor at the Broadway church told him he ought to go to work for James Kerr. Dad followed Roy’s advice, and went to work for Kerr and Middleton Paving Company. He continued to work for and with James “Jimmy” Kerr until he retired in 1990, a tenure of more than 40 years.

Upon his retirement, he pursued a life-long dream and took up the game of golf. He enjoyed the game for more than 15 years until his health limited his play. During those years, he developed wonderful friendships which extended beyond the golf course. The ‘Golfing Buddies’ and the ‘Golfing Widows’ still maintain close ties.

Several of the honorary pall bearers today were a part of the golfing crew. These good friends, though not all are in attendance today, are Gordon Anderson, Ralph Ayers, Frank Butler, Newell Loveless and Bill Loyd.

He is survived by his Wife Jerrye;Son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Shirley Cope of Lubbock; Sister and brother-in-law, Linta and George Austin of Lubbock; Sister-in-law, Nancy Bradley of Dallas; Grandchildren, Erin Drumright and husband Joey of Lubbock and their children Zoe, Sophie and Malcolm; Josh Stewart of Lubbock, Megan Bundy and husband J.E. of Ruidoso and their children Will, Kaydee and Clark; Son and daughter-in-law, Joey and Nancy Cope of Abilene; Grandson, Jeremy Cope of Abilene and daughter Bella Grandson Justin Cope of Austin; and a loving nephew, niece and many cousins.