Joe Rex Smith

Joe Rex Smith, 69, of Weatherford, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at home. Joe was born July 24, 1939 in Guthrie, Texas to Warren Ray and Sally Hensley Smith.Visitation will be held at the White's Funeral Home in Weatherford, Texas on Thursday, August 28, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 29, 2008 at the White's Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. Graveside services will be held at the Guthrie Cemetery on Saturday, August 30, 2008 at 11:30 a.m.He was raised and worked on the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, King County, Texas, and graduated from Guthrie High School in 1958.In 1961, Joe joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrolman and was stationed in Vega, Texas. In 1962, he married Verna Joy Pickens and this union created three children, Sally Elizabeth, Hoby Rex, and Timothy Shawn. Joe was baptized into the Christian faith in 1969 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas.In 1969, Joe was promoted to Highway Patrol Sergeant and was stationed in Crockett, Texas; then transferred to Tulia, Texas in 1970. In 1984, he was promoted to Highway Patrol Lieutenant and was stationed in Harlingen, Texas; then transferred to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1985. Joe retired from the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1991 after more than 30 years of service.After retirement, he moved to Weatherford, Texas, and opened an air-conditioning and heating business. In 1993, Joe married Sandra Kay Gilder.Joe is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Sally Elizabeth; his brother, Lynn Ray Smith; and two sisters, Mary Lou Smith Burns and Ann Smith.Survivors include his wife, Sandra; two sons, Hoby Smith and Julie Beisert, and Shawn Smith; one grandson, Justin Goodwin; two stepsons, Toby and Diana Gilder and children, Garrett and Abigail, and Jamie and Pam Gilder; two sisters, Janet and James Sparkman, Sandra Shipman and Sylvia Harless; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.