Joseph Herbert “Joe” Bodine was born May 12, 1929 in Shelby County, Texas to Herbert Lee Bodine and Essie Belle Goings Bodine. He died Monday, May 15, 2017 at Mullican Care Center in Savoy, Texas at the age of 88.

Joe married Betty Jo Rich Alexander on February 15, 1957 in Dallas, Texas. Joe and Betty blended their families together and made a home. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a brother, a Boy Scout Leader, and baseball coach.

Joe was an employee of Southwestern Bell for about 35 years retiring in 1982. He later became a Grayson County Justice of the Peace for 15 years. Part of that time he served as the Whitewright City Judge. Joe was active in the Whitewright community for many years. Joe and Betty were selected as Whitewright Citizens of the Year and they also served as Grand Marshall for the Whitewright Parade in 2012. He served his nation as a member of the Texas Army National Guard. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Whitewright Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Whitewright Masonic Lodge #167 for 60 years. He was active in the Whitewright Ministerial Alliance. He was a long time member and was very active in the Baptist Church.

He was greatly loved and will be missed.

Joe is survived by daughter, Suzanne Goodfriend of Whitewright; son, Carlos Bodine and wife Dianna of Paris; son, Brad Alexander and wife Brenda of Melissa; son, Bruce Bodine and wife Pam of Bells; son, Bart Bodine of Whitewright; brother, James Bodine of Kaufman; sister, Joyce Lane of Fairfield; sister-in-law, Laura Rich of Richardson; grandchildren, Michael Todd, Rachel, Tonya and Sonya, Stephanie, Angela, Leslie, Jonathan, and Marka; 26 great-grandchildren; special friends, Marcus Pedersen and Sidney Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife of 59 years, Betty.

Funeral Services will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 18, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church, Whitewright, Texas. Officiating the service will be Rev. Rodney Stanford and Rev. Roland Ouellette. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Whitewright, Texas. Masonic Graveside services will be conducted by Bill McFatridge and members of Whitewright Masonic Lodge #167. Pallbearers will be Michael Todd Bodine, Jonathan Alexander, Jamie Lawrence, Mark Russell, Shane Daugherty, Brad McGee, Jordan Rush, and Josh Clouse.

The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 1:00 PM until service time at Bethel Baptist Church, Whitewright, Texas.