Joe Donald Havis

Advertisement
Joe Donald Havis

(September 15, 1932 – April 10, 2017)

Sign Guest Book | Send Private Condolences

GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 1:00 pm. Friday, April 14, 2017 in Cow Creek Cemetery near Dublin, Texas.

VISITATION: 11:00 am. until service time Friday at Harrell Funeral Home.

INTERMENT: Cow Creek Cemetery with Military Honor Guard by U. S. Army.

Ltc. (Retired) Joe Donald Havis was born on Sept. 15, 1932 in Gorman, Texas, the only son of the late Jewell and Autrey Havis of Dublin. Joe passed away on April 10 at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Wanda Fanning of Dublin.

Joe graduated from Dublin High School and attended Tarleton State College before earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He later earned an MBA from Northwest Missouri State University.

Joe served his country through two careers. He had a distinguished military career in the army where he served 20 year as a Field Artillery officer including two tours in Vietnam and travel to stations all over the country and world including Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Vicenza, Italy; Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas; Hanav, Germany; Ft. Irwin, California; Fort McPherson, Georgia; Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; and the Presidio of San Francisco, California. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and earned the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Air Medal; and two Vietnam Service Medals with four Bronze Service Stars. He retired from military service in 1979.

His second public service career was with the city of Houston where he retired as the Deputy Director of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services in 1997 after 18 years that also included stints in the Water and Finance Departments.

Upon retirement, Joe and Wanda enjoyed their home in Houston and traveled extensively. They also enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren and almost always returned to Dublin for the annual school reunions. Joe enjoyed golf, cooking and cheering on his beloved Texas Longhorns. He recently moved to San Antonio and made many new friends at the Army Residence Community.

Joe is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Lisa Fury of Bellingham, Washington, his daughter Debbie Pitts of Austin, and his grandchildren Jaimie, Laura and Christopher Pitts of Austin.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.