Joe Tom Bozarth, Jr.

BOZARTH, JOE Joe Bozarth, age 72, died May 11, 2001 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, may 14, 2001 at First Baptist Church of Woodway, the Rev. Ken Young officiating. A Masonic graveside service will follow in China Spring Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 PM Sunday at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Born in Waco, August 24, 1928, he went to Waco High School and then moved to Galveston to live with his dad. Joe finished his education in Houston and Galveston, prior to joining the Navy serving in Hawaii. Joe left the Navy on medical discharge and established roots in Dallas. He had numerous businesses always meeting the public. In 1964 he came home to Waco to open a convenience store. Later, he went on to be in the liquor business, sell Pontiac’s, have a shrimp boat at Aransas Pass and finally retired from Sand and Gravel in the mid 1990’s. His friends and family knew the passion he had for fishing, hunting and having a good time. He absolutely loved making folks happy and would certainly share the happiness. Fourteen years ago after a life full of parties, Joe decided, with God’s help and countless friends at AA, to party on but without the alcohol. He lived at least fourteen more years because of it. He believed so strongly in “the program” and would be so quick to tell you, “work the program because it works.” He was afraid to not work the program. While his college work was studying counseling for substance abuse at M.C.C., most of his college was spent on his sons at Texas A&M. He loved the Aggie spirit and was so proud to have a son, a daughter-in-law and two grandson’s that would graduate from Texas A&M. Joe was a fifty-year Master Mason and a member of the Shrine for over forty years. While loving the fraternity for the fun and fellowship, he most admired the work they do for crippled children, burn victims and the widows and orphans. His first wife, Lou, preceded Joe in death in 1974. Joe is survived by his loving wife Dorothy, her two daughters, Ginger Townley and her two sons Brian and Aaron Townley and Karen Colemeco and her children Paris Minzer and Anna Minzer. His sons and their families will sorely miss Joe – Joe Bozarth III, wife Freddie, their sons Joe Bozarth IV and Jeff Bozarth; William Bozarth and his daughters Meagen, Kelley and Erin Bozarth. Joe’s first cousin Alton Pearson will be so happy to learn of the special care and attention the Hillcrest folks gave to Joe and his family. Pallbearers will be Jim Spencer, Emmett Reed, Bill Boyd, Chuck Youts, Trent Thompkins, Steve Broussard, Henry Paine, Herb Warren and Paul C. Ferrell. Honorary pallbearers will be his friends at Karem Shrine. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to the China Spring Volunteer Fire Department and Rural Metro Service or the charity of choice.