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BORN
1933
DIED
2024
Joe McCraw Obituary
August 4, 1930 - June 27, 2024
Our beloved father, Joe Howard McCraw, Jr. entered his eternal home on November 6, 2024. He was born at Langley Field Air Force Base in Virginia on December 24, 1933. He was the first of two children born to Joe Howard, Sr. and Pearle McCraw.
In 1936, Joe Howard, Sr. was transferred to Howard Air Force Base in Panama and then to Lackland Air
Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. In 1939, Pearle and the children went to live on the family farm in Wellton, Arizona.
Joe attended elementary school in Wellton and high school in Yuma, Arizona. At the age of 17, he opted
to leave high school and entered into the U.S. Air Force in 1952. He served as an airplane mechanic and as a member of an air refueling squadron. While in the military, Joe was stationed at the Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio.
In nearby Columbus, he met the love of his life, Lillie Jane Barnhart, on a blind date. They were married on November 7, 1953. Their first child, Valerie, was born in 1955, followed by Michael in 1957, Rhoda in 1960, and Joe Howard III in 1961.
Joe was a godly, loving husband and father. After leaving the military in 1956, he moved his young
family back to Wellton, Arizona to work on the family farm. In 1958, the farm was sold, and Joe worked
several janitorial positions while attending school. He obtained his GED and then earned his associates
degree from Arizona Western College in 1968. Shortly after graduation, he was offered a job as an agent
with the U.S. Border Patrol. He initially worked in Calexico, California. In 1975, he was promoted to
supervisor at the El Centro, California station. In 1978, he was promoted to Patrol Agent in Charge at the
Tacna, Arizona station. He remained there until his retirement in 1988. After God and family, he especially loved being a U.S. Border Patrol agent.
Joe had a passion for the outdoors. He truly loved the desert; Gods country as he often said. He was an
avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed leather work, carpentry, riding his horses, traveling, and
drinking copious amounts of coffee.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Katherine Williams, and his loving wife, Lillie. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Anders; his children: Valerie Thompson (Rich), Mike McCraw (Tricia), Rhoda Hoffman (Doug), and Joe McCraw (Patti); 11 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Joe leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and perseverance. We celebrate in knowing that Joe and Lillie are together in the arms of our loving Lord and Savior.
A funeral service for Joe will be held Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at First
Southern Baptist Church, 11711 William St, Wellton, AZ 85356. Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm at Wellton Memorial Cemetery, 11651 William St, Wellton, AZ 85356.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joe McCraw
PHYLLIS GHEEN
November 21, 2024
This is a sad day for all of us that knew joe. I KNEW HIM AS my brother-in -law.in the year1960 MY DAUGHTER JULIE ANN AND I WENT TO LIVE WITH THEM FOR ABOUT 3 OR FOUR MO. I WAS EXPECTING FOR OUR SON THOMAS LEONARD THAT WAS BORN SEP.25TH. OF THAT YR. THEY WERE VERY KIND TO ME AND TREATED US LIKE FAMILY. I TREASURE IN MY MEMORIES OF THAT TIME SPENT WITH THE MCCRAW FAMILY. WISH I COULD RELIVE THAT TIME. I CAN IN MY MEMORIES. WILL SEE YOU AGAIN JOE ALONG WITH MY BEAUTIFULL SISTER LILLIE IN HEAVEN SOME SWEET DAY. LOVE TO ALL MY DEAR FAMILY. AUNT PHYLLIS AND UNCLE DAVID GHEEN.
PAIC Ian Meyers Yuma Station Border Patrol
November 21, 2024
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of PAIC McCraw. Though we never met, I have deep respect for the legacy of service they left behind in defending our country. As a new generation of Border Patrol agents, we stand on the foundation built by their dedication, courage, and sacrifice. Their commitment has shaped the future of our nation´s security and continues to inspire us daily.
Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. The impact of PAIC's McCraw's work will resonate for years to come, and their legacy will not be forgotten. May you find comfort in the pride of knowing they served with honor, and in the knowledge that their efforts live on through all who follow in their footsteps.
Bill Borches
November 20, 2024
I met Mr. McCraw only once and it was years ago in Washington state. He is considered to be one of the best and I agree. I did get to work with his son for many years. The Apple didn´t fall far from the tree another one of the best the patrol had. As Mr. Bennett Elliott (who I worked with in Tx). Said
R.I.P Sir !!!
USBP 377
John Photojournalist
November 20, 2024
Eyes of God. I rode with Joe McCraw the blistering hot day he and pilot Dave Roberson tracked down and saved three "walkers" crossing the No Man´s Land of the Barry M. Goldwater Range. Dave landed his Cessna in a salvage yard air strip between the I-8 frontage road and Tacna Station.
We headed for the Lower Drag. It paralleled the border north of Mexico´s Highway 2. Joe crept the vehicle along with his head out the window cutting sign for foot prints and brush outs. Dave did the same droning overhead. We followed a set prints toward the horizon through Big Pass and headed toward the granite teeth of the Mohawk Mountains. The prints were zigzagging toward Game Tanks. It sat in a small pass in the Mohawks used by bighorn sheep and walkers headed for Mohawk Rest Area and Dateland. The desert beyond was as off the grid as anyone could be in the Goldwater Range. Dave showed me the bones on an earlier reconn. From the air, they looked like rock salt on the black malpais.
Joe got of the vehicle, followed the prints, and stooped down. They were a day or two old and they went off the grid.
We backtracked, Joe whet his whistle from the coffee thermos,, and drove into a mirage of desert called Rat Gap. Dave squawked from the radio and Joe followed the directions. We stopped at a dilapidated palo verde tree. A man and two boys were laying in what little shade it offered. They looked like they´d seen an angel. Joe helped them to their feet, they had two inches of putrid liquid in gallon. It was mid afternoon and it was still 10 miles to Dateland. They never would have made it out alive. There was no fanfare. It was another day in the desert that Joe and Dave loved, and making sure they got out alive..
Mark Haynes
November 19, 2024
It was a pleasure to work with Joe on the DART Team and on periodic operations to Wellton, Mohawk and Hyder. Session 120.
Bennett Elliott
November 18, 2024
RIP Sir !!
USBP 223
Sue Eddy
November 17, 2024
I am thankful to know Joe, as he and Lillie both were such servants of the Lord when Rick and I met him at Foothills SBC
My sincere condolences to friends and family now,and I look forward to spending eternity with them one day.
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