Joe D. Erskine

Joe David Erskine passed peacefully from this life to the next on June 14, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Joe was born on April 2, 1942, to Mary (Curry) Erskine and Norman Neal Erskine in Falls County. There, he along with his brothers Norman and Tom lived a life much like that of Tom Sawyer exploring the land and countryside where they grew up, learning to swim in the tank, develop a love of fishing, and it was here that he developed one of his hobbies. Hunting for arrowheads! Most people that knew Joe know about his extensive collection that developed over his 40 plus years of hunting! While living in the Tomlinson Hill area near this grandfather, he told a story about jumping in the back of their grandfather’s truck on a Saturday night, heading to the local mom and pop shop on Highway 7 where a large white sheet was spread across some trees and a “cowboy picture” was shown. We are quite sure this is where Dad developed his love for westerns!

When the family moved to Marlin a sister Judy was added to the mix, and she soon became her older brother’s “partner in crime”! Soon after this, Joe developed a passion for this new-fangled music called Rock and Roll! He would spend many evenings sitting in his parents’ car listening to the radio since that was the only place where his favorite station could be heard. Some of his favorites were Fats Domino, The Coasters, Little Richard and of course Elvis Presley! He soon got a job at the Dairy Queen where each paycheck was promptly spent on building a vast collection of vinyl records and 45’s much to the chagrin of his parents.

Soon after working at Dairy Queen, he moved on in his work career by becoming an employee at the local Ann Page store which later became the A&P, where he developed a knack for the grocery business moving from stocker to butcher to eventually store manager! This career move led him to be chosen to work at the new A&P in Mart Texas. It was there that he met a pretty young girl named Doris Ascher whose parents owned the local Texaco station. He finally developed the nerve to ask her on a date and her parents agreed and they were allowed to go to the movie theater on Texas Avenue where the only picture showing there was 101 Dalmatians! After Doris’s graduation on August 11, 1962, they were married at St. John’s church in Otto Texas. That union lasted for 60 years.

Joe and Doris moved to Marlin and started a family that included 2 daughters Lisa and Nancy. Joe was soon offered a job in Baytown, Texas to run an A&P. While working as manager, he was offered box seats at a new building constructed in Houston called the Astrodome where the Houston Astros played! It is there that his obsession with the Astros began! That obsession was passed down to his youngest daughter and name’s sake Cindy Jo!!

Doris and Joe wanted to move closer to family so Joe accepted at position at Mrs. Baird’s Bakery first in Waco, Texas and eventually settling back to Marlin where he was affectionately known as the “Bread Man”! While in Marlin, he took his love of baseball to the softball field and joined the local softball league. He was well known for his pitching and batting! He was the only player in the league who could hit the ball to the outfield fence and only make it to first!

In the 1980’s Joe changed careers and became a delivery man for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He loved driving for Coke and soon earned his CDL and drove the big trucks! He participated in many Coca-Cola truck rodeos in Austin! Around this time he developed his new hobby of metal detecting where he loved hunting for treasures just like on Duck Dynasty! As a member of the Marlin Historical Society, he was able to learn about different places here in Marlin where certain buildings stood and historical events happened. He enjoyed finding relics such as old coins, buttons, watch fobs, and civil war memorable.

As retirement age approached, he and Doris made the move to the town of Kosse where they bought a home with room for a garden and a tank to partake of his favorite pastime, fishing! He took such joy having his grandchildren and great-grandchildren fish in his tank! On Joe’s 70th birthday he was diagnosed with a rare form of colon cancer. His doctor, Ofobuike Okani knew he would be able to help him beat this dreaded disease! He and his staff at Texas Oncology worked diligently to help us have our dad as long as possible. Dr. Okani told us repeatedly, “he should have died years ago!” He just didn’t know how stubborn our dad was! After Doris’s death on November 7th, 2022 Joe’s health declined and he made the difficult choice to move in with his youngest daughter Cindy and her husband Curtis.

As our dad was spending his last moments on earth, his stubbornness showed through as he stayed conscious to tell each one of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren goodbye. He repeatedly said that he did not want us there when he passed. As a final act of that stubbornness he waited till he was alone to move from here to heaven!

Joe was preceded by his parents and his in-laws Adolph and Lorena Ascher, brothers Norman and Tom, brother-in-law Glen and great granddaughter Julieanna Alfano and nephew James “Jimbo” Jobe.

He is survived by his three daughters Lisa Erskine of Marlin, Nancy Erskine of Kosse and Cindy Moore and husband Curtis of Marlin, his six grandchildren David and wife Brittany, Johanna Moran, Ragan Alfano and partner Kyle Safady, Phillip Moore, Zach Moore and Joseph Erskine and eight great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by sister Judy Truett and husband Larry of Kosse, sister- in laws Kathy Haigood of Mart, Carolyn Erskine of College Station and Diane Erskine of Agawam Massachusetts and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Adams Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the First Methodist Church in Marlin with Reverend Maureen Day and Reverend Eddie Ellis officiating.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Fedro, Dr. Okoni and the staff at Texas Oncology and Texas Quality Home Health for their excellent care of our dad during the last 10 years of his life.

Please leave your favorite Joe Erskine story (because we know you have at least one) on the Adams funeral home website for all his family to enjoy.