August 31, 1927 – August 10, 2006 WHITESBORO â??Funeral services for Joe Robert Story, Jr., 78, will be 10 A.M. Monday, August 14, 2006 at Meador Funeral Home Chapel in Whitesboro with Bill Taplin of the Alvord Church of Christ, Bill Mayes of Wood St. Church of Christ in Sherman and Randy Mathis of North Union St. Church of Christ in Whitesboro officiating. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 P.M. Sunday, August 13, 2006 at the funeral home. A Graveside Service will be held 10 A.M. Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at the Griffin Cemetery in Cherokee County, located southeast of Tyler.
Joe passed away Thursday, August 10, 2006 at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman.
Known as â??R.J.â? to many, Joe was born August 31, 1927, the first of six children, to Joe R., Sr. and Lillie Belle (Carter) Story in Burkburnett, TX where he attended school. In 1944, he entered the Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine at age 16 and served on voyages in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operation. He subsequently enlisted in the Navy and served on the destroyer USS Agerholm in the South Pacific, receiving the WW II Victory Medal. Joe married Mary Nan (Fitch) Story Dec. 18, 1971 in Abilene, TX. He retired as a lease operator for Texaco after 41 years of service. Members of the Story family contributed upward of 250 + years as employees of Texaco, Inc. Joe was a long time member of the North Union congregation. He took pride in doing things properly. He loved the Lord, his family and friends, and his animals. Joe especially loved finding ways to help others.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Nan Story of Whitesboro; three daughters, Denise Devers and husband Curtis of Boerne, TX, Kimberly Early and Kellye Sparks of Houston, TX; a son, Joe Michael Story and wife Luba of Houston; grandchildren, Amber Nugent Blincoe of Georgetown, TX who grew up in the home, Jennifer Matheny of Frisco, TX, Katie Crowder of Edmond, OK, Sayda Sparks, Sarabeth Sparks and Colby Sparks all of Houston, TX, Josh Early of Kemp, TX and Jennifer McMoy of Dallas, TX; 19 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Edward Story of Allyn, WA, Arnold Story and wife Lu of Lefors, TX and Carlton Story of Holliday, TX; two sisters, Nell Suffern and husband Howard of Lawton, OK and Joyce Crawford and husband Clint of Childress, TX; and 19 nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are: Robbie Blincoe, Curtis Devers, Josh Early, Brett Fitch, Edward Story, Greg Story and Kirk Story.