Joe C. Denman, Jr.

Funeral services for Joe C. Denman, Jr., 90, of Lufkin will be held Friday, January 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Lufkin with Reverend D. Nick Sholars officiating. A reception will follow in the Allen Parlor. Private burial will be held in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Joe Carter Denman, Jr. was born September 30, 1923 in Lufkin, Texas, the son of Helen (Price) and Joe Carter Denman. He passed away peacefully at his home in Lufkin Tuesday, January 7, 2014. Mr. Denman was married for 66 years to the “love of his life” Virginia Elizabeth (Ginia Beth) Cox. He was a graduate of Lufkin High School and Texas A&M University.

Following high school, Mr. Denman headed for Texas A&M - on a football scholarship - in the fall of 1942. Before the year ended, he left A&M to join the war effort.

During World War II, Mr. Denman was a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, serving as a Naval Aviator and Assistant Squadron Administrative Officer.

Returning to Texas A&M following the end of World War II, Mr. Denman earned a degree in Architecture and was a member of Tau Beta Pi and an Officer in the Architecture Society. At Texas A&M, he was a Distinguished Student and received the Academic Architectural Student Award and the Association of General Contractors Award. Later in life, he received the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Texas A&M Distinguished Architecture Alumnus Award.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Mr. Denman went to work for Southern Pine Lumber Company in Diboll as a Professional Engineer. He served as President of Temple Industries from 1972 to 1977. When Temple Industries was acquired by Time, Inc. in 1973, he became an Executive Vice-President and a member of the Board of Directors of Time, Inc. Mr. Denman became President and CEO of Temple-Eastex in 1977 and Chairman of the Board in 1983.

Upon retirement from his life-long career with Temple, Mr. Denman again became interested in aviation and helped start the Young Eagles Program at Angelina County Airport. He enjoyed researching family history and finding and restoring a missing family cemetery in Georgia. He became a rancher in the Hill Country of Texas where he had spent much time hunting as a boy with his father and grandfather. He enjoyed connecting with high school, Navy and college friends. The Wisdom Group added much fun to his retirement years.

During his life, Mr. Denman served on the Boards of Temple-Inland, Inc., First Bank & Trust East Texas, CRS Group, First Bank of Conroe, Memorial Medical Center and Angelina College. He also worked actively with Texas A&M’s President’s Council, Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, Diboll School Board and Diboll Booster Club. He was deeply honored in receiving the Angelina Award a few years ago, and more recently, in being inducted into the Texas Forestry Museum Hall of Fame.

Mr. Denman was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed a wonderful, full life, made possible largely by all who shared his enthusiasm for life here in Angelina County and East Texas.

Survivors include his wife, Beth Denman; son and daughter-in-law, Trey and Sally Denman; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Richard Warner; daughter and son-in-law, G.G. and Troy Tiemann; grandchildren, John Denman, Joe Denman and wife Sarah, Ginia Luker and husband Russell, Rich Warner, Rachel Raley and Jarret Raley; great-grandchildren, Cash Luker and Hannah Denman; and Stephen Raley.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Denman.

Mr. Denman’s grandchildren will be his pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers are Sam Baker, Tony Bishop, John Booker, Henry Holubec, Harold Maxwell, Jim Odom, Jay Shands, Jack Sweeny and Buddy Temple.

Groups of interest for memorials are Young Eagles of Angelina County, 830 Airport Blvd., Diboll, Texas 75941, Diboll First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 412, Diboll, Texas 75941, and the Lufkin High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 150837, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.