Joseph Letson Sr.

Joseph James Hardy Letson Sr. always kept his family at the center of his life. He was a good, hard-working provider who enjoyed all the days he spent behind the wheel of his semi-truck. Wherever his job sent him, he kept his family close to his heart. He was a loving husband and a dedicated father, and in the company of his family, you could always find Joe with a familiar, good-humored smile.

In the year 1941, America joined the chaos of the Second World War after the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Under President Roosevelt’s lead, thousands of young American men joined the combat scene in Europe and Japan. Though this was an uncertain time, it was also a time of rejoice for Woodrow Wilson Letson and his wife Magnolia Mae Kirby. On July 26, 1941 they welcomed their son Joseph James into their home in Frisco, Alabama.

Joe enjoyed a typical, rural Alabama childhood. He grew up in Molson, where his parents made a living as cotton farmers. Joe was one of three children: he had a younger sister named Penny Joe and an older brother named Paul, who died when he was just eight months old. Although Joe was sometimes a rambunctious child, he had a close, healthy relationship with both of his parents. He was caught skipping school on more than one occasion; after he completed the eighth grade, he left school altogether to work alongside his father in the fields.

When Joe was still growing up, his parents divorced. His mother moved to Hammond, Indiana where most of her family was located. Joe traveled back and forth between the two homes in order to spend time with each of his parents.

In 1960, Joe met a woman named Rheba Bowles. Although their marriage would end in divorce, their union blessed Joe with two daughters, Sara and Sandy.

Joe soon started a new career, one that he truly loved and would do for the rest of his life. He was a semi-truck driver, working for several different companies including Gary Transfer and Motycka. Joe never officially retired, but his illness forced him to stop driving one year ago.

One of Joe’s friends in Hammond had a younger sister named Teresa. When Joe met her for the first time, she was only eight years old. But even then, she had a crush on Joe, and she often commented that she would marry him when she turned eighteen. But much to her surprise, she received a phone call from Joe on her eighteenth birthday. They soon began dating, and after five years together they were married in Molson, Alabama on June 27, 1984.

Joe and Teresa were blessed with three children, Joseph Jr., Michelle, and Amber. Nothing made Joe happier than the births of his children. He loved all of his kids deeply, and though he was very affectionate, he also had a strict side. Family was very important to Joe, and he prided himself on being a good provider.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, and, his favorite, aggravating people. Joe was small in stature and he would often say, “Dynamite comes in small packages.” His good sense of humor was matched by a hot temper, but he always laughed easily when his family teased him about his little legs—when he wore cut-off shorts they would call them his “daisy dukes.” He loved to watch John Wayne Westerns, Sanford and Son, and Gunsmoke. On the radio he usually tuned into the country music from the 50’s and 60’s. He loved Elvis, and he would often comb his own hair in the King’s style for fun. Joe shared a lot of good times with his close friend George and life long friend Larry Robertson. They are the sort of friends you could count on for anything.

Joe’s children will treasure many special memories of their father. Amber remembers a time in Molson when they were swimming in one of the lakes. There was a huge cliff, and people were jumping from it into the water. Amber remembers how brave her father was, how he was determined to build his courage and make the jump—and he did!

Michelle treasures a memory from the road. She was with her father when his truck got stuck in the ditch. It was buried all the way up to the axle. How they laughed! This was also Joe’s favorite memory.

Joe always treasured the coin belt buckle that his mother gave him. He wore it—always! But Joe treasured the loving company of his family the most. His greatest days were the births of his children, and he was very proud to watch each of his kids grow into adults. Joe will be greatly missed and frequently remembered by the many people who loved him.

Joseph James Hardy Letson SR., died March 8, 2005, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. Joe was born July 26, 1941 in Frisco City, Alabama, to Woodrow and Magnolia (Kirby) Letson. Learn more about Joe, view his Life Story film and visit with family and friends Monday 6:00-8:00 PM at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, M-40 South of I-94 Paw Paw, 657-3870, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Interment Lake Side Cemetery Decatur. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Paul. He is survived by his wife Teresa (Winchester) Letson, five children: Sara Bradley of Arkansas, Sandy Letson of Molton, Alabama, Joseph Letson of Decatur, Michelle (George Pleyte) of Lawrence and Amber Letson of Decatur, 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and a sister, Penny Joe Mosely of Hammond, Indiana. To read Joe’s complete Life Story, archive a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Letson family, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com