Joe is survived by his children: Sandra (Ted) Wommack, Beverly (John) Combs, Randy (Lisa) Thomas. Grandchildren: Joe Wommack, Michael (Renee) Wommack, Stacie (Jared) Entzminger, Emily and Jennifer Combs, Zac (Amberly) Thomas, Kayli Thomas, Graham and Sydney Barnes.  Great-grandchildren: Brennan Wommack, Jacob, Josiah, and Jessup Entzminger, Kenley, Keelyn and Huxton Thomas.

He is predeceased by his daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Gary Barnes and his beloved wife Sylvia.

In Joe's own words -
"On a Saturday morning on April 23, 1932, a son was born to a couple, Little John and Vesta Corrine Thomas.  I was born eight miles west of Arkadelphia, Arkansas in a loose knit community named Hearn.  This was to be an important place for me for the next several years and still is important because of the memories that I relive and loved so much.  At this time the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, jobs were hard to find, and money was scarce. Doctor Carter charged $25.00 for delivering me and my Daddy promised to pay part of the bill with a young turkey.  Unfortunately, the turkey roosted over the well, lost its balance and fell in.  I never learned how the doctor's bill was paid."

Joe was an only child and often lonely, living so far from friends and town activities.  The loneliness disappeared in the fall of 1951 when Joe met the love of his life, Sylvia.  The number #1 song on June 30, 1951, was Nat King Cole's "Too Young."  Some people may have thought that this young couple was too young, but 72 years later they were still loving each other.  When Sylvia died in 2023, Joe continued to love and miss her until his death on December 19th of 2024.

Along the way in his life, he and Sylvia had four children - Sandra, Beverly, Randy and Cathy.  Those children made Joe a grandfather and a great grandfather, roles he loved.

The family left Arkadelphia in 1965 and moved to Garland where Joe worked at Rockwell International for over 26 years.  Upon retirement, they made full use of their camper and traveled for miles and months, seeing 48 states and wintering in South Texas.

Joe became a Christian at 10 years old and a deacon at 31.    In Garland, he attended Eastern Hills Baptist where he taught 2-year-olds in Sunday School.   He eventually graduated to a Senior Adult class where he was a devoted pastor teacher.  In 2007, they came to FBCG where he continued to teach and they also sang in Praise Singers, something he had never done.  He worked at Friendship House and even went on his first mission trip in his 70's.

For the last several months, Joe had a regular routine every morning.   After breakfast, he called his daughters, went to exercise class, read his Bible and prayed this prayer

"Even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me, while I proclaim Your power to another generation, your strength to all who are to come."  Psalm 71:18

Favorite verse

Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

Daily prayers

Lord, please bless me and extend my borders.  Keep your hand on me and keep me from sin so I will not cause pain to anyone.
I Chronicles 4:10
Lord, may I thrive like a palm tree planted in Your house.  Keep me strong and flourishing whatever my age.  Keep me fruitful.
Psalm 1:3
Lord, bless the last part of my life more than the first.
Job 42:12

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to either Friendship House or the Ukrainian Refugee Ministry through First Baptist Church Garland.