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Joseph Compton Obituary
Joseph Emerett Compton, III was born to Dollie Lee Johnson Compton and Joseph Emerett Compton, II in Port Huron, MI on June 8, 1949. He grew up in Detroit and he gave his life to Christ at an early age, at Vernon Chapel AME Church in Detroit.
Hw was the President of the 1967 Class of Pershing High School in Detroit, played basketball, and was the President of the chess club. He was a 1971 cum laude graduate of Amherst College, in Amherst, MA. Joseph loved learning and acquired three additional degrees. He obtained a Masters degree in African History, a Masters degree in Urban Planning and a Law Degree---all from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. At the time of his death he was the Assistant Regional Counsel for the EPA in Dallas, TX.
His greatest joy was family and friends. He was married to his college sweetheart, Mattie Peterson Compton, and to that union, his only child, Joseph Emerett Compton, IV was born. Following a divorce, he remained close to the Peterson family, and considered his brothers-in-law, James and John, and mother-in-law, Mae Cora Peterson, to be family. He and his Johnson relatives had a connection that was that of siblings, rather than cousins.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to celebrate his joyful life: his son, Joseph Emerett Compton, IV of Marietta, GA, cousins Yvonne Levison McGee (Byron) of Marietta, GA, Douglas Levison (Audrey) of Laurel, MD, Kenneth Johnson (Bonnie) of Upper Largo, MD, Ronald Johnson (Cynthia) of Odenton, MD, Lisa Gray of Port Huron, MI, Clifford Johnson of Louisville, KY, Doreen Brookrum of Palm Dale, CA, "Brother", John Peterson (Laura) of Fort Worth, TX, life-time family friend Patricia Brown of Port Huron, MI best friend Wil "Sage" Grandy of Washington, DC, and a host of extended family, friends, and colleagues across the nation.
The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2016 in Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church preceded by one hour of visitation. Pastor Loretta Hazely will officiate. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery. Smith Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send condolences, please visit smithfamilyfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Compton
Sponsored by Smith Family Funeral Home (South).
Sal JuJu Jubera
August 16, 2025
In loving memory of a great friend we stayed in contact even after the Fire department we visited time to time and had many conversations over the phone.
R. I. P.
JOE COMPTON
Ron Smith
August 29, 2024
I attended Nolan Jr High with Joe. I knew he would be a success in any field he wanted to tackle. It seems he was. He always told me he wanted to be a fireman and knew every Fire Station in Detroit and all the hook and ladders and everything else. I thought that if he wanted he would end up as Fire Chief of Detroit. If any family member would like to reach out and talk about Those days and Joe, you can contact me, Ron Smith at 586-342-0931 Thank You and I wish everyone good times and good health.
Ronald M Smith
April 19, 2023
Hello to all, First let me say I'm sorry to learn of Joes passing. Does anyone here know if Joe attended Nolan Jr High, our High School would have been Pershing. I'm trying to find out if this is the same Joseph Compton. I knew of his love for the fire Department in Detroit and thee have been many mentions of Fire Departments in these comments. The Joe I knew was a wonderful person. If anyone has any information to my questions I would very ever grateful, Ron Smith
Harvey Slaughter
March 18, 2017
Joe and I attended Pershing High School together. He was president of his class in 1967. I was president in 1968. We travelled in the same sphere and shared many of the same associations. After graduating from Amherst, he came to the University of Michigan for graduate work. There we were able to become reacquainted again and renew our friendship. Of Joseph's many qualities - honesty, integrity, honour, commitment, & faithfulness - are the characteristics that most come to mind when I think of him & our many conversations. I grieve the loss of one of the finest scholars and individuals ever to graduate from Pershing High School. Rest in peace, my friend, your brother will always miss you.
Dr Harvey T. Slaughter
Pershing "Doughboys," Class of '68
U-Michigan, Residential College, Class of '72
Mary
October 11, 2016
Rest in peace Joseph. God Speed. I know you are in the presence of the Lord.
John L Hanson Jr
September 1, 2016
To Joseph's family, I sorry to hear of your lost. What a wonderful time we had (Cleveland & Pershing) back-in-the-day. May peace and Blessing be with you'll during this time of sorrow.
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you
September 1, 2016
I worked with Joe while he was in the Planning Department at City Hall. I had an office there representing the Fire Department on all new construction in Arlington.
Joe never failed to work with developers to get land for a new fire station or fire access.
He will be missed. May God bless and comfort his family.
James Patterson
Asst. Fire Marshal, retired
Arlington, Texas
Salvador "JuJu" Jubera
September 1, 2016
I known Joseph from working with him in the fire department, matter of fact when Joseph was preparing his exit from the fire department to start his new journey into law I was the one that took his place at Fire station 8.
I always enjoyed talking with him, we seem to connect we could go on talking for hours. Me growing up in Chicago and him from Michigan seem like we clicked. He left the department and we always met up off and on.
They say that a real friend is one that you might not see or visit everyday but when you do get together it's like if it was yesterday. I did not know he was ill, I feel sad, since I retired from the fire department I try to get in contact with him to visit again. Now I'll have to wait till it's my time to go with our Lord to finish our conversations.
Vaya con Dios, R.I.P. mi hermano. Prayers going out to the Compton family
Marvin Shafer
September 1, 2016
I had the pleasure of going through the Fire Academy with Joe. He was one of the oldest recruits to take the test. Testing against more than 700 candidates, Joe was 9th. A great accomplishment when you are competing against men 15 years younger than yourself.
He brought so much enthusiasm to everything that he did. I enjoyed my time with him, and will always remember him with great affection.
May God bless his family as he blessed me with Joe's friendship.
Marvin Shafer,
Lt Arlington Fire Dept. Retired
September 1, 2016
Full of sadness to hear of a brother's passing. Heaven is a much better place with you. Here? We grieve because we want to be there with you. RIP Fireman Joe Compton.
Lt JJ Waite
Arlington (Tx) Fire-Rescue
September 1, 2016
To the family of Joseph,
I had the great pleasure of working with Joseph at Arlington Fire Department Station 6. I remember most the always present smile and the incredible intelligence. He LOVED coming to work at the Fire Station every single shift. He was a joy to work with and it was always a pleasure to have those long, deep, conversations with him (usually way above my head).
I am sorry for your loss but thank you for sharing Joseph with us.
Burney Baskett
Arlington Fire Dept (ret)
Andy Neylon
September 1, 2016
To the Compton family,
My name is Andy Neylon, Lieutenant Arlington Fire Dept. Although I never worked with him in the fire department, I have had many talks with Joe over the years. Joe was always friendly and shared his life experience and perspective with me. I want you to know that he has made a lasting impact on my career serving the community. He will be forever missed
Jeff Holloway
September 1, 2016
Joe was an Arlington Firefighter in the early 1980's. His love of serving the citizens and the firefighters was very inspiring. His enthusiasm and joy was uplifting to all of us at AFD. Joe loved us and we loved him. We will miss him.
Elizabeth Saunders
August 28, 2016
Chum Mattie and Joseph the IV, Chums, Incorporated share your loss. May God's Strength be yours. We are praying that in His perfect time and in His gentle way God's caring touch will comfort support and strengthen you. Chum Elizabeth, National Member-at-Large
Ike and Edwena Thompson
August 27, 2016
To the Compton Family:
Knowing Joe was a life long pleasure. First meeting Joe as a colleague in Fort Worth City Planning created enough discussion for a lifetime. To add firefighting and law broadened our discussions and lengthened the conversations into late nights. Joe enjoyed talking about what I call the triple career of city planning, firefighting, and law. He made a wonderful career with passion for all three professions.
Although Joe will be missed and we grieve, I am grateful to have shared his time before and during his declining health. May God's grace be with Mattie, Rett, and family in your time of loss.
If we can be of help in any way, let us know.
Timothy Polk
August 27, 2016
Joseph Compton - my confidant, my brother, and my friend - I'm so glad that God sent you my way back in Ann Arbor, Michigan - you played a major role in shaping me and my family and the many friends and people that came across your path - you were a person who never met a stranger and like a true Fireman ready to respond if someone needed to be rescued in times of peril - I will miss the times we had together both formal and informal and many laughs we shared - To Mattie and Rett and the rest of the Compton family we ask the Lord to continue to bless you and keep in your time of sorrow and may "God be the Glory" - Tim and Bridget Polk & Family
Porter/Robin Dillard
August 27, 2016
Porter & Robin - (longtime Omni Group business-partner and U of M college class-mate) and the Texas Dillard family send our love to our brother Joe and family members. You will forever be in our memory - "GO BLUE"
August 27, 2016
To the family of Mr. Compton:
We extend our deepest sympathy to you. We are praying for you and know that Almighty God will comfort and keep you during this time. Remember that Paul said "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Mr. Compton is with the Lord. We will continue to pray for you and may God continue to bless and strengthen you.
Dallas County Co-workers
August 26, 2016
To the family
We are praying for you, May God comfort and keep you during this time, Remember Paul said " To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Mr. Compton is present with the Lord. May God continue to bless and keep you.
Pass Dallas County Co-workers.
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