born on a farm in Martha, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1933, to William DeWitt and
Nancy Maude Sullivan. Joe was the youngest of six children and was raised in
Mangum, Oklahoma. In his younger years, he was a paperboy and later helped
with the printing of the Mangum Star.
After highschool graduation at the age of 17, Joe enlisted into the Navy and
served during the Korean War. He hitch-hiked to San Diego for boot-camp
training and was later sent to Hawaii for two years to specialize in teletype
machines on the submarines. He was a proud Navy submariner. While stationed
in Hawaii, Joe fell in love with the Hawaiian culture, music, and the incredible
island life.
After serving in the Navy, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Ouida
Roberson, later called Meme, and used his GI bill to get a college degree. They
honeymooned their way to West Virginia Tech to start a degree in the printing
and paper field. After two years of making lifelong friends and having their first
child, Debbie, Joe transferred to The University of Houston. After he finished his
degree, Joe began his life-long career with Clampitt Paper Company. Joe worked
his way up to Vice President and General Manager, and he retired after 40 years.
Their Houston roots grew in the Spring Branch area to include children Joe Jr.,
Kay, and Paul.
Joe was active in bird hunting, arrowhead hunting, rattlesnake roundups, fishing,
tennis, racquetball, snow skiing, Model A car shows, the Masonic Lodge, and
playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In the early 1970’s, Joe
bought his beloved country property in Moulton, TX. All family and friends have
fond memories spent at “The Farm”, better known as “The Moulton Hilton”.
Joe loved to be with people, and people loved to be with him. Joe will forever be
remembered for being the best son, sibling, uncle, husband, father, grandfather,
great-grandfather, friend, and neighbor. He will also be remembered for being a
collector of all things, his love for his “bird dogs”, his signature glass of scotch,
riding his bike backwards, his homemade fireworks, his “throwdown arrowheads”,
and for all the kids he taught to fish, shoot 22’s, and hunt. Joe truly earned the
title of “The Bird Hunter Extraordinaire” with his favorite Parker shotgun.
Joe is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ouida; his parents, Dee and
Maude; his siblings and their spouses, Lloyd (Hazel), Lorene (Harry), J.C. (June),
Corene (Max), Sue (Bob); his nephews and niece, Jimmy, Johnny, Brenda; and
his grandson-in-law, Justin.
Joe is survived by his children and their spouses, Debbie (Jack), Joe Jr. (Carol),
Kay (Joe), Paul (Caroline); his grandchildren and their spouses, Daniel
(Whitney), Jennifer (Ryan), Amy (Chase), Misty (Chris), Caroline, Claire, Blake,
Kate; and his great-grandchildren, Bryce, Brody, Braxton, Gavin, Thatcher, Wyatt,
Annie, Mary, Margaret, Abbie, Conner, Ace, and Gus.
The Visitation will be Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral
Home, 12800 Westheimer Rd., from 5PM-7PM. The celebration of Joe’s life will
be at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Dr., on
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 10AM. COVID-19 Protocols remain in place at
Memorial Drive United Methodist Church. Face masks, social distancing, and
check-in procedures will all be required for in-person attendance. Refer here for
the virtual link to the celebration of Joe’s life: https://www.mdumc.org/joesullivan
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to The
American Heart & Stroke Association at 10060 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, Tx
77054; The Old Greer County Museum & Hall of Fame at 222 W. Jefferson St.,
Mangum, OK 73554; or the Moulton Volunteer Fire Department at 205 W. Cockrill
Street, Moulton, TX 77975.
Joe’s life will forever be remembered in his loved ones' memories. We say thank
you to all friends and family who shared his life and may you continue to share
his story for the years to come.
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