Joe Harrell

Joe P. Harrell, aged 89, passed from this Earth on Friday, October 11th, 2019 at his home in Roswell, NM. Joe was born in May, Texas on August 6th, 1930 to Robert Houston and Ima Jewel (Plummer) Harrell. Joe was the fourth of five children born to Robert & Ima Jewel. Joe was an active youth, competing in football at May High School. After high school Joe became a seismology shooter (forcing dynamite into the ground to explore for oil). Thereafter, Joe was promoted to the position of "observer," precipitating a move to Coleman, Texas where he met the love of his life, Ruth Helen Barker. The two wed on January 21, 1951. Later the couple moved to Roswell, NM. Joe & Ruth were blessed with two sons, Larry Joe and Gary Lynn.

Joe was a hard-working man who always put family first. Joe & Ruth raised their boys in Hargerman, where Joe ran a furniture/appliance store and later became the head maintenance man for Hagerman Municipal Schools. It was there that Joe retired after 20+ years in the school system.

Joe was quite the prankster who loved a good joke! He was a jack of all trades who could fix anything (though it may not have looked pretty)! Following retirement, Joe became bored and Ruth prompted him to "get a job!" So Joe went to work for Rosewood water and later for Farmer's Country Market. He was blessed to work these jobs side-by-side with his good friend, Daryl Beard.

Those left to treasure Joe's memory include his wife, Ruth Harrell of Roswell; two sons, Larry Harrell and wife Barbara of Durango, CO and Gary Harrell and wife Luana of Roswell. Grandkids include Larry Joe Harrell, Jr., Stacy Kimmelman, Amy Beth Shaffer, Lexie Harrell, Justin Gray, Nathan Gray and Melana Boyd. Great-grandkids include Logan and Lacey Harrell, Whitney Harrell, Chloe & Maya Kimmelman, Gavin & Nova Shaffer, Aidan, Adalyn and Adely Boyd, Connor and Riley Gray and Sydney, Ally and Livy Gray. Also, a family they claim as their own, Michael, Teresa, Jeffrey and Tyler McKee.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and a grandson, Brad Harrell.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel at 1:00PM- 7:00PM. A Funeral Services for Joe will be at 2:00PM on Monday October, 14, 2019 at Calvary Chapel of Roswell on 2901 W. 4th.