Joseph Elkington, Jr.

Joseph William Elkington, Jr., 90 of Waxahachie, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Dallas. He was born September 6, 1923 in Grand Prairie to the late Joseph W. Elkington, Sr. and Lettie Swadley Elkington. Survived by wife of 63 years, Jo Anna Elkington of Waxahachie; his children, Rolinda Jo Nobles and husband, Donald of McKinney, Tx; Joe Randal Elkington and wife, Vickie of Coppell, Tx, Bobbie Jo Davis and husband, Gary of Waxahachie, Tx; his grandchildren, James Matthew Nowell and wife, Danielle of Austin, Tx, Jennifer Nicole Brown and husband, David of Lewisville, Tx. Joseph Charles Elkington of The Colony, Tx, Gary Matthew Davis of Waxahachie, Tx, Marshall Dewayne Davis and fiancé, Cristina Hooper of Waxahachie, Tx; his great-grandchildren, Pierce Baker Nowell, Heath Adam Nowell, Jules Linea Nowell and a sweet Baby Girl Brown on the way; also his faithful dog, Josie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph William Elkington and Lettie Smith Elkington; his sisters, Margaret Jane Shelly, Lois Elkington; his step-mother, Dora Wilson Elkington; his step-brother, Howard Wilson; and also by his granddaughter, Shelley Rhena Nowell Garcia. Joseph William Elkington Jr. was born in Grand Prairie, Tx, September 6, 1923. Joe graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, in 1941. He joined the Navy in July, 1942 and served on five ships, 2 of which were torpedoed and sunk, the USS Chicago and USS Helena. He received a citation for making first radar contact with the Japanese Fleet in the Surigao Strait and a citation for the Battle of Kula Gulf. After the war, Joe worked as an electrician in Dallas, met the love of his life, Jo Anna, married and raised three children, spoiled five grandchildren and cherished all his great grandchildren. From the late 60's until his retirement, Joe worked for Proko Industries in Dallas and Kaufman. After Joe retired he spent many years raising cattle, gardening and working around the farm and mowing his pastures. He loved watching the birds and squirrels come up on the porch to feed and drink and the hummingbirds buzzing around their feeders. He was great at math and always figuring and doodling on the napkins, newspapers, and magazines. In his earlier years he enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He loved playing solitaire, crossword puzzles, watching the Texas Rangers, eating popcorn and spending his time picking up pecans to sell for spending money for haircuts and Christmas presents. He would do anything for anyone and give you the shirt off his back. But, he would never ask for help except for instructions on how to use the DVR. Once when our Mother was out of town, Bobbie came down to check on him. He showed her a vacuum packed brick of coffee on the counter. He said he'd had it out on the counter for three days and it still hadn't thawed out. He always kept us laughing with his colorful phrases, but we can't tell you what they are! One of the highlights of his life happened in January of 2013 when he was asked to go to the Admiral Chester W. Nimitz National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Tx to give his account of his service during WW II for a future exhibit. He was the oldest known living veteran to survive not one, but two ships that were sunk during WWII. He also received special recognition at last years Medal of Honor dinner held in Dallas. He was a 50 year member of George B. Dealey #1312 Masonic Lodge, Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Masonic Order and Past Patron of Cockrell Hill Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Member, First Baptist Church, Waxahachie. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the Pat Boze Memorial Chapel of Wayne Boze Funeral Home with Dr. Leroy Fenton officiating. Interment will follow at Southland Memorial Park, Grand Prairie, Texas. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2014 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home.

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