Mr. Joe Henry Quinn's Obituary
Mighty Joe Henry Quinn
Born in 1929 in Ganada, Jackson County, Texas, to Joseph Richard Quinn and Lucy Elma
Devers, Joe was the oldest of 3 siblings. His dad passed away the year before Joe graduated high
school, so he and his brother Jack took their father’s place working for the American Canal Company.
They each worked every other day, trading places so they could continue going to school and could support their Mom and younger sister Mattie. Despite this, Joe graduated Valedictorian of his class at Missouri City High School.
Joe worked 48 years for the same company, though the company changed names several times.
He retired in April of 1987.
Joe was a perfectionist; if he did the job it was going to be done right and look good too. And
he could do most anything. In his time he was a welder, a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician, a
painter, a master pumpkin carver, a mechanic, a sous chef and expert cookie decorator, and he could operate heavy equipment. You name it, he did it, with one exception: he never could tape and float sheetrock.
Joe and Joyce met in 1958 and began dating in October. He was an exceptional dancer as well
as being honest, hard working, kind, and good hearted, with a great personality. He was always sincere, and never tried to be something he wasn't. What you saw was what you got, and he was always a perfect gentleman.
Joe and Joyce married in December of 1959. In 1961 they moved to Woodmont Drive. In 1966,
George and Dorothy Roma moved in next door. The two families became great friends, and then
became family. The Roma children in particular became very special to Joe and Joyce in the years they lived side by side, to the point where when the Roma family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in June of 1970, Joe and Joyce were out there to visit by July (before all the boxes were unpacked).
Joe and Joyce moved to Missouri City in 1975. They bought a River House on the Guadelupe
near New Braunfels in 1977, which became the site of many a great gettogether
over the years.
Joe was very easygoing and really enjoyed people. He got a lot of satisfaction from helping
people, but he didn't like to ask for help himself. He was really too good for his own good.
Joe absolutely loved kids and they loved him, though he really never wanted any of his own; he
just enjoyed everybody else's. Joe taught the Roma kids and grandkids to change their oil, to clean and cook fish, to drink beer, to smoke a brisket, and to always have a winning hand. He taught them how to take pride in their work, aim high, and appreciate what they had. He was always an example, never afraid to get dirty, and always quick to clean up when the task was done. He wouldn't fly, but the Romas were family and so Joe and Joyce drove the 1100 miles out to Arizona as often as they could. He gave Karen ‘Raine away at her wedding in 1988. By 1997 when the youngest of the grandkids was born, Joe and Joyce were out there twice a year, every year, as long as possible, filling homes with love, laughter, food, cards and dominoes.
Joe was always a thinker, clever and practicalminded, measure twice and cut once. Even after
he didn't have the physical strength to do things anymore, he'd just build himself a cheatin' wrench and finish the job anyway. He wasn't about to give up. He fought long and hard to stay with us.
Joe really loved his family, each and every one. He really wished he could have been closer to
all the nieces and nephews and cousins. They are all pretty special. And for friends, they were the best. He felt very blessed.
He had a heart as big as the state of Texas (and everything is bigger in Texas, after all).
He was preceded in death by his Daddy and his Mother.
His sisterinlaw Opal passed on the same night.
He is survived and loved by:
His wife, Joyce Quinn
His brother Jack Quinn (and family)
His sister Mattie Quinn
His nieces and nephews: Beth Powell, Daniel Roma, Lisa King and Karen Critchley (and all of
their families including 8 grandnieces and nephews) And cousins and friends beyond counting, especially: Dorothy Roma, Stan and Alta James, Carlos and Rachel Villagomez, Dolores and Jeffery Edwards, and the family of Johnnie Mae Garner.
What’s your fondest memory of Joe?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joe?
Share a story where Joe's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joe you’ll never forget.
How did Joe make you smile?
