Joe Taylor Moak

Joe Taylor Moak, 86, of Abilene, peacefully finished the race, and having fought the good fight and kept the faith entered the presence of his Savior on December 21, 2012. Joe was born at Bogue Chitto, Mississippi on September 17, 1926, the seventh and last child of J.E. “Jake” and Lucy Moak. He became a Christian as a boy and was baptized in the Bogue Chitto River. Upon graduation from high school in May 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was serving aboard an LST in the Pacific when World War II ended. After returning home, he followed the example of several older brothers and sisters and enrolled at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College where he played basketball. He graduated from Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi) in 1950 and moved to Luling, Texas to begin a long career in the petroleum industry. In Luling, he met Bettye Jo Chuter and prior to a job transfer to Kermit, Texas they were married on September 6, 1953. Joe’s oilfield career led to many moves and the first priority when starting in a new community was to find a church. He and Bettye worked with youth in every church they joined and it was that ministry that first took them to Paisano Baptist Encampment; a place that has been central in the lives of their family. They eventually owned two cabins there and their invitation led several nieces, nephews, and cousins to become regular attendees at the retreat in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Joe served on the Paisano Board of Directors for many years and was a Director Emeritus at the time of his death. Joe knew the value of hard work and was always eager to lend a helping hand to those in need. On more than one occasion, he and Bettye invited family members into their home and helped get them started in successful careers. He was a faithful husband and an encouraging and generous father and grandfather. No one loved to meet people and entertain with stories more than Joe. After retiring from the oil patch, Joe became a substitute teacher where he earned the respect and devotion of another generation of young people. As his health declined, he lived at Wisteria Place Nursing Center where he made many new friends among the staff and residents. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Bettye; his parents; three sisters: Evelyn Reeves, Jimmye Stringfellow, and Katie Ruth Cowart; and three brothers: Larkin Moak, Sherman Moak, and J.E. Moak. He is survived by two sons, Barry Moak and wife Sara of Abilene and Michael Moak of Marble Falls; a granddaughter, Corrie Moak of Abilene; a grandson, Lt. Evan Moak of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; a brother-in-law, Lamar Chuter and wife Ginger of Marble Falls; two sisters-in-law: Ernestine Harman and husband Ray of Luling and Roberta Moak of Moultrie, Georgia; and numerous devoted nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 23, at Southwest Park Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Woodard and Rev. Price Mathieson officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. From 3:00 to 5:00 pm, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall at the church. The committal service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 24, in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Southwest Park Baptist Church Building Fund, or Paisano Baptist Encampment in Alpine, TX. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the loving care he received at Wisteria Place and to Dr. Charles Fuller for his care and attention.