Joe B. Hunt

In spite of the harsh realities he faced daily in law enforcement for 43 years, Joe was always smiling, positive and he exhibited the true joy of the Lord in his everyday walk. Only the Lord knows how many people he helped and ministered to during his life. It was said “Joe always treated everyone with respect"

Joe was born November 9, 1944 in Kermit, Texas to John C. and Willie Mae (Williams) Hunt. He attended public schools in San Angelo, graduating from Central High School in May, 1963. He started college at San Angelo College in the fall of 1963, he then left college to join the National Guard in January of 1964.

In December 1964 Joe married the love of his life, Linda Goetz.

In March of 1965, Joe began working with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on a fish hatchery in Devine, Texas. He applied to the Texas National Guard Officer Candidate School and in June of 1966 was accepted to start the OCS Academy Class Number 10. He graduated OCS as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Joe’s law enforcement career began on February 14, 1967 when he entered the DPS Law Enforcement Academy in Austin graduating in June 1967. Their first son, Mark, was born in 1968 while Joe was a Driver’s License Patrolman in San Antonio. In 1970, their second son, Bryan, was born while Joe was stationed in Odessa where he was a Texas Highway Patrolman. After being promoted to the Texas Rangers in July 1977, Joe and Linda moved to Lubbock where he was stationed until being transferred back to San Angelo in October 1993.

Joe retired from the Texas Rangers in 1998.

After his retirement, he was honored by the citizens of Tom Green County by being elected for 3 terms as Tom Green County Sheriff.

Joe retired during his third term due to health reasons. He and Linda then moved to his ranch in Schleicher Co.

He loved ranching, hunting, fishing, and the outdoors in general. He looked forward to hunting trips to Colorado and spending time with good friends who are to numerous to mention.

Joe, being known as a great story teller, had been asked by many to write a book which he did. The book entitled “Joe B. Hunt, Texas Ranger, Campfire Tales”, was just recently finished, printed and published.

More than anything in the world he loved spending time with his granddaughters. They were the absolute light of his life. Family was important! He cherished every moment with his family. The traditional big family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the entire Hunt family were very special to him.

Joe and Linda attended Glen Meadows Baptist Church and more recently Christoval Baptist Church .

Joe was preceded in death by his father and mother, John C. and Willie Mae Hunt, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Annie and Emil Goetz and his sister-in-law, Linda Sue Smith Hunt.

Survivors are his wife of 48 years, Linda, son Mark and wife Jamilyn, their daughters, Taylor and Rylie; son Bryan and his daughter Brittny; his sister Carolyn and husband James Cornelius and their family, brothers Skipper and his family; Jerry and his family. Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Willard and Shirley Goetz and their family; Donnie and Georgia Goetz and their family and many nieces, nephews, cousins, one aunt, Mabel Boyd of Azle and numerous special friends.

Joe was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

The family will be at 3539 Judith Lane Sunday, October 6th. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 7th in Johnson’s Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday October 8th in Glen Meadows Baptist Church with Mack Roller and George Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

The family requests memorials be made to a favorite charity or in Joe’s name to the Water for All International Ministry c/o Southland Baptist Church, 4300 Meadow Creek Trail, San Angelo, Texas 76904.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnson-funeralhome.com