Dr. Joseph Louis "Joe" Bakowski

With heavy hearts, the family of Dr. Joseph "Joe" Louis Bakowski announces his passing, at age 68, on July 19th, 2023 in Burleson, Texas.
Joe was born on September 10th, 1954 in Gary, Indiana, to loving parents Joseph and Antonia Bakowski. After graduating from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Joe joined the Navy and was an optometrist at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. After an honorable discharge, Joe returned to Louisiana.
At the end of July 1990, Joe would meet the love of his life, Pamela Nottingham, during a routine eye examination for contact lenses. Joe and Pam were married the following June and celebrated 32 years of marriage. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Texas. During their marriage, Joe and Pam welcomed two wonderful children into the world, Elizabeth and Michael.
Eventually Joe started a practice in Weatherford. He stayed active in the community through the Lion's Club and the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce. A fondness for cocker spaniels led to him being involved with the DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue, and brought him his beloved black cocker spaniel, Benny.
Joe was a true "Disney Dad." He gave Pam her engagement ring in a hot air balloon near Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World in Florida. He started a family tradition of frequent trips to the Disney Parks in both California and Florida and even took his family to the Disney Aulani in Hawaii.
Joe was an avid sports fan, with a particular love of football. Saturdays were spent cheering on the Texas Longhorns, and Sundays were spent cheering on the New Orleans Saints.
Joe was a loving and caring person, who touched so many lives. He was loved by his Parker County patients and served them for 25 years. He will be greatly missed.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Antonia Bakowski; and his brother, Peter Bakowski.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Bakowski; his daughter, Elizabeth Bakowski; his son, Michael Bakowski. His parents-in-law, Mike and Jeanne Nottingham of North Richland Hills. His brother George Bakowski and wife Sandra and son Robert of Shreveport, La. Sister-in-law Susan Bakowski and daughters Tina, Michelle and Kimberly Bakowski of Seattle, Wa. Sister in law Paula Goin and son Matthew Eaton and partner Ryan Kelley of Denver, Co. Brother in law Christopher Nottingham and wife Andrea and their children Jonathan and Emily Nottingham and Taryn Martin. Many fellow workers, patients and friends.
Memorial service will be at a later date. Donations can be made in his honor to DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue or to the Lions' Club.