Joe Lynn Mathis

Joe has always been a strong, patient man that got along with everyone. He played football in high school, and was a rebel known as "the bootlegger" since he was able to buy alcohol for his friends with his matured looks when he was young. Joe was a member of the '8 Ball Bowling' league in Tyler and brought home many trophies. He worked for the City of Tyler as the landfill supervisor, and was very skilled as a heavy equipment operator. In his later years, Joe became a truck driver and partial owner of T&L Trucking with his dad, Leonard and brother, Terry. He started his own trucking business independently, with his son, LJ, working the trade with him. Joe had a passion for hunting in West Texas, but he preferred his own property above all. Being an outdoorsman, fishing was another great comfort for Joe. In his early years he would go trotline catfishing at Lake Tyler, and spend time in nature at the Sabine River with his family, camping and playing 42. Later in life he bought a bass boat, and won several fishing tournaments and prizes. Joe had many skill sets, building his Chevy truck as a "shade tree mechanic" was an important one. He has always been a hard worker, no matter what it took he strived to provide for his family. Joe was a great cook, his best dishes were deer meat of any kind, fried fish or grilling the perfect steak. He loved making meals with his wife, Linda. They were known as "Mustang Sally and Slow Joe." The duo liked to spend time dancing, gambling, and having a good time together. Joe loved working on his property, making a pond himself when he hit a natural spring, and raising his cows or "beef masters." Joe's favorite title was being his grandkids "Papa." He enjoyed the simple things in life, spending quality time with family members, and many friends and "girlfriends." He will truly be missed and cherished by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Linda Mathis; daughter, Angela Lynn (Brian) O'Neal; son, LJ (Rachelle) Mathis; and grandchildren, Skyler Jo O'Neal, and Loghan Christian Mathis.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Joe Mathis and Wanda Jo Mathis; brother, Terry Dewayne Mathis; sister, Mary Elizabeth Mathis; and grandson, Kolton Lee Perry.

A time of visitation for Joe will be held Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Tyler Memorial Funeral Home. A celebration of life will occur Friday, July 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., following the graveside service in the Tyler Memorial Park Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tylermemorial.com for the Mathis family.