Joe B. Hunt

SAN ANGELO Joe B. Hunt, former sheriff of Tom Green County, passed away at his ranch on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. His great-niece, Jordyn Nicole Elkins, was born Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. As Jordyn's mother, Amber Hunt Elkins, posted on her Facebook site, "God brought in an angel and took another home." In spite of the harsh realities he faced daily in law enforcement, 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. His longtime friend and co-worker Bill Fiveash said, "Joe always treated everyone with respect, even the person that did the most despicable act imaginable. Even the inmates respected Sheriff Hunt. He would go over (to the jail) and go to church with them." Joe was born Nov. 9, 1944, in Kermit, Texas, to John C. and Willie Mae (Williams) Hunt. With the exception of the family living in Midland for one year in the early 1950's, he lived in San Angelo until he left for service in the Texas National Guard. He attended public schools in San Angelo, graduating from Central High School in May 1963. He started college at San Angelo College in Fall 1963. He left college to join the National Guard in January 1964. In March 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 1966, was accepted to start the OCS Academy Class Number 10. Joe's law enforcement career began on Feb. 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 asked to run for Tom Green County Sheriff and won his first election in November 2000. In May 2004, Joe suffered a massive heart attack and was actually pronounced dead two different times but recovered to go on and be elected for a second term in November. He was then elected to a third term in 2008, but the heart attack had taken it's toll. In March 2011, he stated, "For the past year, I have been having health issues as the result of the heart attack I suffered in 2004. Those issues no longer allow me to perform my job in the manner I demand of myself. It is time for me to step aside and the sheriff's department to move forward." He retired on March 31. 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. He wanted the proceeds from the sale of this book to go to the Water for All International Ministry. This ministry helps residents of South America and Africa drill fresh water wells in their villages. These wells help reduce the waterborne illnesses and death among residents caused by unsanitary water sources. The family requests memorials be made in Joe's name to the Water for All International Ministry, c/o Southland Baptist Church, 4300 Meadow Creek Trail, San Angelo, TX 76904. Joe and Linda had bought a ranch in Eldorado and moved there after his retirement. He loved ranching, hunting, fishing, the outdoors in general and who looked forward to trips to Colorado and spending time with good friends like Glyn Jameson. Joe's family was the most important thing in his life and the traditional Hunt family Thanksgivings and Christmases were very special to him. Joe was a former member of Glen Meadows Baptist Church and had recently moved his membership to 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 and 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; many nieces, nephews, cousins; one aunt, Mabel Boyd of Azle; and numerous very, very special friends. Loved and remembered by the many classmates of the Class of 1963, Joe will always be a warm spot in the heart of so many. The family will be at 3539 Judith Lane Sunday, Oct. 6. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Glen Meadows Baptist Church with Mack Roller and George Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnson-funeralhome.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gosanangelo/obituary.aspx?n=joe-b-hunt&pid=167333739#fbLoggedOut