Joseph C. "Joe" Harney

Joseph "Joe" C. Harney, 69, passed away on October 19, 2004. He grew up farming and ranching following his family's tradition. After a short time in the Army he became a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia, South America. He served on the Corpus Christi Police Department for 34 years. He was the son of former Nueces County Sheriff John B. Harney and Margaret Rachal. As a sixth generation Texan, his families had a long history in South Texas. His paternal great-grandfather was Edward Harney who came to Nueces County from Waterford, Ireland in the 1840's. He established a toll crossing for cattle driven across the Nueces River and operated several meat-packing operations. He married Margaret Riley also of Ireland. They had one son, John Harney who married Julia Ball. They had four children: Edward, William, John and Laura (Mrs. George Callicoatte). John Ball Harney served as sheriff of Nueces County for 14 years. His maternal great-grandfather, Darius Rachal came to South Texas after the Civil War. He was one of the original South Texas trail drivers establishing a ranch at White Point on the Nueces Bay. His son, Christopher P. Rachal, continued to operate the ranch. He married Eliza Odem who was the daughter of Dave Odem, also a prominent South Texas cattleman and banker. Among their eleven children was Margaret Frances Rachal.Joe enjoyed bicycling, walking, and being with his grandchildren. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church.He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Harney and his brother Chris Harney. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Emma Lopez Harney; his three children Laura (Kent) Carpenter of Evergreen, Colorado, Joseph (Jill) Harney and Monica (Michael) Lugo both of Corpus Christi. He left behind eleven grandchildren who were his joy; his sister, Mary (Charles) Stewart of Rowlett, Texas and several nieces and nephews.Visitation will be from 12 pm to 4 pm, Thursday, October 21, 2004 at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., at St. Patrick Catholic Church that evening. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 22, 2004 at St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Roger Smith. Burial will follow at Seaside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mother Teresa Shelter, 513 Sam Rankin St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401.