December 14, 1930 – March 6, 2018 Funeral services for Joe Lawrence Bertino, 87, will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 10th at the Meador Funeral Home in Whitesboro, Texas with Rev. Mike Flanagan. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home with visitation on Friday, March 9th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Joe passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 6th surrounded by loved ones. He was diagnosed with an aggressive pancreatic and liver cancer on Friday, March 2nd. Even though his condition progressed quickly, Joe kept his sense of humor up until the very end.
He was born in Mingus, Texas on December 14, 1930 to Mike and Edith Bertino. He graduated from Gordon High School and joined the United States Air Force in 1951. He was stationed at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois where he was an Air Force Technical Trainer and later a supervisor in Instrument Training Repairman School. Joe met his wife, Deloris Ellis, a nursing student, and they were married February 21, 1953. Joe was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
He first attended Tarleton State University and then transferred to Texas A&M University where he began the Bertino Aggie Dynasty. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Masters degree in Education in 1959.
Joe began his career in education in Stoneburg, Texas as an Agriculture teacher where he worked for the next 11 years. Joe and Deloris then moved to Whitesboro, Texas in 1968 where he taught until he retired in 1991 with 37 years of education service. Over his vast career in education, he had many students who excelled as Lone Star Farmers and Joe was given an Honorary Lone Star Farmer degree in 1962. He served as Secretary, President, and Vice Chairman for District, Area, and State Vocational Agricultural Teachers throughout his career. In 1989, he was given the VATAT “Distinguished Service Award” for 35 years of service.
After retirement, he was employed by Foxworth Galbraith for 17 years. He was actively involved in the West Grayson County Teacher Retirement Association, where he made birdhouses and painted pumpkins for student scholarships. He was an active member of First Baptist Church where he was head of the teller committee for Sunday school and church. He was also an active member of the TNT group of the First Baptist Church.
His hobbies included wood working, stamp collecting, model trains and traveling in the US and abroad. Joe and Deloris went on many cruises together, including a few family cruises. Joe has also been a member of Texas A&M University’s Century Club since 1981 and has been a season ticket holder to A&M football games for over 30 years.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Deloris; one son, Dr. David Bertino and his wife Dianne of Whitesboro; four daughters, Donna and husband John White of Houston; Diana and husband Michael Bonin of College Station; Debra and husband Nicholas Harris of Houston; and Darla Bertino of Waco. He has 11 grandchildren; Stacey Gomez and husband Eric, Matthew White and wife Veronica, Michelle Millie and husband Noble, Patrick Bertino, Renee’ Bonin, Kevin Bonin, Kyle Bonin, Robyn Goelz and husband Patrick, Elise Harris, Rachel Harris, and Anthony Harris and wife Kelsey. He has 3 great grandchildren, Morgan Gasper-Gomez, Mason Gasper-Gomez, and Aaron White. Joe also has 1 brother Michael who lives with his wife Patty in Tolar, Texas. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorothy.
Pallbearers are grandsons Matthew White, Patrick Bertino, Kevin Bonin, Kyle Bonin, Anthony Harris, and grandson-in-laws Eric Gomez, Noble Millie, and Patrick Goelz. Honorary Pallbearers are Harold Tamplen, Gene McLaughlin, Doug Flannery, Billy Schares, Miles Capehart, and Travis Flannagan.
Joe was well loved by many and will be greatly missed. Please make memorial donations to First Baptist Church and the West Grayson County Retired School Personnel Association Scholarship Fund.