Joe Howard McCraw Jr.

Our beloved father, Joe Howard McCraw, Jr. entered his eternal home on November 6, 2024. He was born at Langley Field Air Force Base in Virginia on December 24, 1933. He was the first of two children born to Joe Howard, Sr. and Pearle McCraw.

In 1936, Joe Howard, Sr. was transferred to Howard Air Force Base in Panama and then to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. In 1939, Pearle and the children went to live on the family farm in Wellton, Arizona.

Joe attended elementary school in Wellton and high school in Yuma, Arizona. At the age of 17, he opted to leave high school and entered into the U.S. Air Force in 1952. He served as an airplane mechanic and as a member of an air refueling squadron.

While in the military, Joe was stationed at the Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio. In nearby Columbus, he met the love of his life, Lillie Jane Barnhart, on a blind date. They were married on November 7, 1953. Their first child, Valerie, was born in 1955, followed by Michael in 1957, Rhoda in 1960, and Joe Howard III in 1961.

Joe was a godly, loving husband and father. After leaving the military in 1956, he moved his young family back to Wellton, Arizona to work on the family farm. In 1958, the farm was sold, and Joe worked several janitorial positions while attending school. He obtained his GED and then earned his associate’s degree from Arizona Western College in 1968. Shortly after graduation, he was offered a job as an agent with the U.S. Border Patrol. He initially worked in Calexico, California. In 1975, he was promoted to supervisor at the El Centro, California station. In 1978, he was promoted to Patrol Agent in Charge at the Tacna, Arizona station. He remained there until his retirement in 1988. After God and family, he especially loved being a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

Joe had a passion for the outdoors. He truly loved the desert; “God’s country” as he often said. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed leatherwork, carpentry, riding his horses, traveling, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Katherine Williams, and his loving wife, Lillie. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Anders; his children: Valerie Thompson (Rich), Mike McCraw (Tricia), Rhoda Hoffman (Doug), and Joe McCraw (Patti); 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Joe leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and perseverance. We celebrate in knowing that Joe and Lillie are together in the arms of our loving Lord and Savior.

A funeral service for Joe will be held Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at First Southern Baptist Church, 11711 William St, Wellton, AZ 85356. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Wellton Memorial Cemetery, 11651 William St, Wellton, AZ 85356.