Joseph Edward Stubbs

Joseph “Joe” Edward Stubbs passed away peacefully at his home in Morgan Mill, Texas, on October 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 88 years old. 

Joe was born on April 3, 1937, in Whitehaven, Pennsylvania. As a boy, he loved to ice skate and spend time outdoors. At just 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a dog handler—a role that began a lifetime of loyalty, responsibility, and quiet courage. His service eventually brought him to Fort Worth, Texas, where he built both a career and a family. 

In Fort Worth, Joe worked as a proud union ironworker, helping to construct many of the buildings that now shape the city’s skyline and even the DFW Airport. Later, he retired to Morgan Mill, where he became a farmer and worked for the Water Department—a perfect combination of hard work, community, and open skies. 

In June 1956, Joe married the love of his life, Jeanette Barlow. Together, they shared 59 wonderful years of marriage before her passing in 2015. Their love was steady, joyful, and full of laughter, and together they raised three children: Paula Parish, Kent Stubbs, and Jeff (Laura) Stubbs. 

Joe was a man defined by his love of family. His greatest joy came from a house full of laughter, conversation, and the smell of a big meal cooking—whether breakfast, lunch, or supper. He adored babies, had a special place in his heart for his grandkids, and found humor in life’s small moments. He had a gift for teaching—especially when it came to driving. Many of his grandchildren learned behind the wheel of a lawn mower, tractor, or stick-shift truck long before they were technically old enough. 

Joe had a dry wit and a twinkle in his eye. He was known to call all his grandsons “girls and other choice names”, always poking fun at them, teasing his wife lovingly, and never met a speed limit he would go above. He loved his “girls”—the chickens in his backyard—and his faithful old conversion van. Together, he and Jeanette were part of the Gadabout Gang square dance group, where they made lifelong friends and spent many happy nights dancing across Texas dance floors. 

He is survived by his three children, his six grandchildren—Nick (Natalie) Parish, Tyler (Jeremy) Parish, Josh (Jennifer) Stubbs, Clay (Lindsay) Alley, Kirby (Taylor) Stubbs, and Austin (Rachel) Stubbs—and eleven great-grandchildren who adored their “Grumpy Grandpa.” He is also survived by his sister, Marion “Pinky” Stubbs, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

Joe will be remembered for his strength, humor, and unwavering devotion to his family. He taught by example that love is best shown through action—through hard work, shared meals, and laughter that fills a home. Though he’s no longer here to sit at the head of the table, his presence will be felt in every story told, every joke retold, and family meals shared among those who loved him. 

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held in Morgan Mill, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a tree or spend time with the people you love—just as Joe would have wanted. We all know that we will, “See him on the next big job.”