Joe Dean Hewett

Joe Dean Hewett died at home in Longview on May 16, 2025. He was born
February 3, 1928, on a farm in Norton Co. Kansas, to Arthur Guy and Jennie Archer Hewett. He and his twin brother, Gene, were the youngest in a family of eight siblings. Joe left the farm and joined the U. S. Army in 1948, serving in Okinawa, Korea, and Germany, until he began to experience vision difficulties and was discharged in 1955 as a Staff Sergeant.
Upon return to the states, Mr Hewett attended Ft. Hays Kansas State College and earned his BS (1958) and MS (1964) in Science. Although by this time he was legally blind, he taught High School Science in Enterprise, Kansas; Hamilton, Kansas; and Tribune, Kansas.
Mr Hewett yearned to apply his teaching skills to those with vision disabilities. He accepted a Fellowship in Special Education at the University of Texas at Austin in 1968, and spent the next three years there. He chose to return to teaching before submitting his dissertation for a doctorate. He was
accepted for a teaching position in Waco, Texas, in 1971, and taught Special Education there, until his retirement in 1984. Joe was named Outstanding Handicapped Texan by Governor Bill Clements, and served on the Board of Governors for the Texas State School for the Blind.
In the 1970's, Mr Hewett tested for, and received his Amateur (Ham) Radio license from the Federal Communications Commision. He was an active operator for many years, and was involved in networks of radio operators. At the time of his death, he held the Amateur Extra Class license, and the callsign KF5VE.
After retirement, Joe and his wife moved to Longview to be near his step-son and daughter-in-law. Joe was a member of the Pine Tree Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, and a daughter, Cathy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Hewett, sons, David and Dallas, and daughters Sydna and Stacy. He is also survived by his step-sons, Tom and David Wilbeck. He has many grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the Parkview care staff for their loving attention, and the nurses at HospicePlus for their work in keeping Mr Hewett well and comfortable in his last weeks.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.