Joe L. Fulton

Joseph Langford Fulton, Born January 25, 1918, in Franklin, TX, died June 26, 2010 in Nacogdoches, TX, at the age of 92. Known to everyone as "Joe", he was named after his father who was murdered before Joe was born. He grew up with his mother and three siblings in a rural community under very hard circumstances. He learned to cope through hard work, good management, a sense of humor, and sheer endurance.In his later years, Joe would ask his daughters to take him back to Franklin where he would tour them around familiar sites and share vivid memories. One memory was always stirred at a fence post along a dirt road, for it was there, as a child, that he found a whole silver dollar in the sand. As he told the story, it was evident that he was experiencing the delight and amazement that he had that day as a young boy. He said he held on to the coin for a while, savoring the idea of having money he could spend or save- then he took it to buy a fistful of big peppermint sticks at the drug store. He loved those peppermint sticks- and ice cream.Joe was one of that legendary generation that walked five miles to school in the snow. He admitted they had a little snow, but enough extreme heat and cold to make up for it. He played football in high school and always regretted that he had not gone to college.Looking for adventure, Joe enrolled as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps as a young man. After the Pearl Harbor attack, patriotism moved him to enlist in the U.S. Army, and he served in the Philippines. He returned home to Houston after his discharge to marry Mildred Pech, a woman he loved over 63 years of marriage. Her death on August 27, 2009, was a severe blow to him. Together they had three children: Kathy Norrod of Lufkin, Gordon Fulton of Houston, and Susan West of Dallas. Joe believed that grandchildren Holly Norrod, and Greg, Jennifer, and Jessica West were the future, and he took great joy and pride in them and investing in their lives. His bonding time with his sons-in-law, Earl Norrod and Larry West, was on the fence row or in the field, with an occasional fishing trip thrown in for encouragement. His unfailing faith, strength, counsel, and example will be missed.Because there had never been much money in his younger years, Joe learned to make do and do without. His ability to keep a car going with a piece of string or rubber band honed him into a fine mechanic at Cameron Ironworks which enabled him to provide a stable income for his family. It also provided fodder for some great stories. Joe had confidence in his skills, but was always amazed that the grace of God had allowed "a poor country boy" to grow up healthy and strong, marry a beautiful woman, have a steady job, send three kids to the orthodontist and college, become a preacher, buy, build, and retire on his own farm, enjoy lifelong friends, and live a long active life.Joe and Mildred came to God through belief in Christ after their marriage and never wavered in their faith. Though a proud man, Joe believed and feared God. Together Joe and Mildred guided their children to faith and encouraged their confidence in God through their daily example and instruction. They placed little value on material possessions. They worked, saved, served, stayed informed and involved, ordering their lives under God to provide a solid foundation for their children's future as well as their own. At age 45 Joe responded to God's call on his heart to serve as a preacher and became "Bro. Joe". He devoted himself to Bible study and worked the graveyard shift for several years in order to attend Bible school during the day. He continued working as he pastored a church in the Houston area. After retirement, he preached at and pastored several churches in East Texas. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Henderson in later years and greatly enjoyed his Sunday School class there. At the end of his life, he often celebrated good friends in Houston and East Texas.When their son Gordon died in a tragic accident at the age of 28, the effect on Joe and Mildred's faith was profound. They grieved deeply and confessed that they did not understand why God would allow such a thing, but however wounded they were, they returned to and held to the fact of their faith that only God was able to make decisions regarding life and death, and He remained trustworthy and unchanging in His love, mercy, and faithfulness. They often spoke of their confidence that they would see Gordon again someday in Heaven.Joe lived up to the meaning of his name- "increasing faithfulness". He trained his kids to work, although they could not keep up with him, even in his 80s. He cared sacrificially for his wife during years of dementia and ill health. He lived his life intentionally. He managed family, crops, property, and resources faithfully. He took care of what he had and planned for what he needed.Joe Fulton had no misconceptions about his lack of social skill. He was known and loved as a teaser. But for all of his rough ways, he was an honest, faithful, and grateful man who was committed to truth and who loved the Word of God and believed in its power to change lives. Today his faith is perfected in the very presence of God. And he would say, "To God be the Glory."Bro. Joe was particularly blessed with faithful friends and companions Jewel Cozart, Bro. Bobby King, and Bro. Billy Parker, and the family is ever indebted to them for their love and sacrifice on his behalf. The family wishes to acknowledge openly their appreciation for Dr. Donald Cagle and his assistant, Larry Malone who treated Joe like a valuable person and a familiar friend.Special thanks is extended to nurses, therapists, and aides on the rehab and hospice units at Willowbrook Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Nacogdoches, with additional love and appreciation to Kenisha and Cynthia. You all made a difference in his life and in the family's journey and allowed him to make a difference to you.The family requests that any donations in honor of Bro. Joe be made to the ministry of The Gideons International as found on the worldwide web.

Joe L. Fulton

January 25, 1918 - June 26, 2010