Joe Halbrook

Joe Halbrook was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on September, 30, 1933, to John C. Halbrook and Ernestine McCall Halbrook. His parents provided him, his twin, Jerry, and his two older brothers, Cullum and David, with rich childhoods rooted in the fertile delta, around their home in Belzoni, and also drawing on travels around the U.S and Mexico. In the swamps, woods, and fields of his home, Joe's appreciation of work and love of the natural world were nurtured and ingrained upon his personality. After obtaining his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Mississippi State University, he moved to Beaumont, Texas, to work for Mobil Oil. In Beaumont, he met his wife to be, Jerolyn Wilson. In the course of their marriage of 53 years, they raised two sons, taught innumerable children in Sunday school, and enjoyed the fellowship of a wide circle of colleagues, friends, and fellow members of First Baptist Church. After moving to Beaumont, Joe's love of the outdoors expanded from hunting and fishing to include many more activities, especially photography and bird watching. His expertise in bird watching grew to a point he was hired to lead tourist groups. His love of bird watching led Joe on travels to multiple continents and to afflict his wife, children, nieces, nephews, and others with delays, photographic attempts, impromptu lectures, and viewings of seemingly infinite slides of, about, and concerning songbirds, raptors, vultures, waterfowl, and all observable forms of avian life. For his sons, Joe devoted great amounts of time to coaching little league, serving as a scoutmaster and advisor to Explorer groups. Having successfully inculcated in his sons his own affinity for outdoor activities, he seized the opportunity to share his enthusiasm and experience. As his efforts bore fruit, he in turn was eager to learn from his own students activities new to him, ranging from scuba diving to mountain climbing. Later, Joe became the proud and loving grandfather to two granddaughters. Emma and Audrey basked in the unconditional love and assurance he provided. Joe led a long and happy life centered on his family and faith. He strove to share the joys of his love of God and God's creation with as many people as possible. Of course, despite his efforts, Joe's life was not all an idyll. Joe's care and devotion for Jerolyn through what turned out to be a long, terrible, and debilitating battle with Huntington's Disease, exemplified to all who knew him, the true meaning of for better for worse . . . in sickness and in health . . . . Not long after losing Jerolyn, Joe's own struggle with cancer took a turn for the worse, ending on November 16, 2011. Joe is survived by his brothers, David and Jerry; his sons, Allen and Robert; his caring and devoted daughter-in-law, Pam; and his beloved granddaughters, Emma and Audrey. Joe's survivor's are thankful to all the family and friends who supplied care, support, and love in his final months, especially Dr. Mike Kasper, Elaine Kasper, Amanda Rolls, and his sister-in law and brother-in-law, Paula Austin and Olie Austin. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Beaumont, at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. Joe preferred charitable contributions in lieu of flowers. Joe supported First Baptist Church of Beaumont and the Huntington's Disease Society of America (www.hdsa.org). Joe and his family were the very grateful recipients of the support of Hospice Austin (www.hospiceaustin.org).