Obituary of Joe Walker Tuten

Watch the Tribute Joe Walker Tuten March 29, 1934 - September 16, 2013 Funeral services for Joe Walker Tuten, 79, of Jal, NM will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Jal Church of Christ with Daryl Micham, Mike Kennedy and Randy Couchman officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Mr. Tuten was born on March 29, 1934 in Ebb, Florida to Maynard and Mattie Lou (Bass) Tuten and passed away at Winkler County Memorial Hospital, Kermit, TX on Monday, September 16, 2013. Joe was raised in Florida and graduated from Greenville, Fl. High School where he played football. He was very athletic and involved in all the sports in school. He Attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock and served in the US Navy. In March of 1959 he married Sandra Shiplet in Jal, NM and they have shared 54 years together. Joe worked for some Oilfield services before he was employed by El Paso Natural Gas Co, serving them for thirty seven plus years before his retirement. He & Sandra lived in Algeria from 1978 through 1980 working for EPNG LNG Project. He was a member of Jal Church of Christ and was involved with his girls Bobby Sox Softball and was also involved with Girl Scouts with his girls and was coach for the Powder Puff Football girls He joined the Boy Scouts of America when his son became a Scout. Joe was a scoutmaster of Troop #319, a member of District BSA Committee, member of Conquistador Council Board of Directors, Vigil member of Order of the Arrow, and received the Religious and Silver Beaver awards. He was a staff member of Camp Wehinahpay and camp director for over 25 years. He officiated at football games from Jr. High to College level and was a volunteer for the Jal Panthers, doing filming, coaching, traveling with teams to tournaments or whatever was needed and served as Booster Club President at one time. He was an avid and loyal Florida State Football Fan and needless to say he was a “sports enthusiast” and enjoyed being involved with his family and their activities and definitely wasn’t one to sit on the sidelines. As Joandra said, “Dad always loved us and his grandkids very much and he had time for us and was proud of his family, he also loved all kids and enjoyed working with them, he was a generous man .” Jody said “ when you saw Dad bite his tongue, you knew he was ticked and you had messed up and you were in trouble but I will always remember my dad’s pretty blue eyes and the love in them”. Chimene shared, “ I will always cherish the way my Dad supported me when I was a child, teenager, young mother and wife, and especially the way he loved my children (Zach and Bet). He taught me to always have high expectations, pick myself up when I struggled, and strive for the best for myself and my family. He was tough, He was loving, and he taught me how to be the same. He will always be my Daddy.” He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mildred, and three brothers, Eugene, J.D. and Jack. He is survived by his wife, Sandra of the home; one son: Jody and wife Theresa Tuten of Homer, Alaska and two daughters: Joandra Navarrette of Jal, NM and Chimene and husband Eddie Oborny of Pflugerville, TX; four grandchildren: Victoria, Zachary, Lindsay and Eddie and a host of friends. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Jal Church of Christ from 10:00 am until service time. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.