Joe Ele Baggett

Joe Ele Baggett, 81, entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. The only child of Roosevelt Theodore and Vada (Wheat) Baggett, he was born on a cold and blustery evening March 4, 1944, in Washington DC, and grew up in Annandale, Virginia. After graduating from Annandale High School, Joe followed in his father’s footsteps attending Texas A&M College as a member of the Corps of Cadets, Squadron 10, and graduated with the Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 1966 as a mechanical engineer. Much like the Disney princes of his time, Joe was the strong, dapper, handsome, silent type with a brilliant mind full of wit and humor—the great hair and dazzling smile left the ladies swooning! In 1966 he married Janice Murray, eventually welcoming three adorable children into the world—Janie, Jack, and Joel. Life came with many unexpected twists and turns, but through it all he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his children. A strong Christian man, Joe loved the Lord. Sharing faith was important, and he lived the verse “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Most recently he was a member of the West Lake Baptist Church, finding friends and comfort among the Bear Creek Saints. With a servant’s heart, he volunteered as a firefighter, soccer coach, Sunday school teacher, and gave his time during humanitarian efforts following hurricanes that devastated communities along the Gulf Coast. Joe married his beloved Thanelle Norris in 1975, adopting her daughter Thanet who was 4 years old at the time. They lived in Odessa and eventually moved to Chandler, Texas. A devoted and loving husband, he and his bride will have a joyous reunion in heaven just in time to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary… together again at last. For 36 years he worked in the oil & gas field for the likes of Union Carbide, El Paso Products, and Phillips Petroleum, managing, designing, and improving systems as well as training others in safety and procedure. Eight years with the Texas Department of Transportation led him to roadway and drainage improvement, and for several years prior to his 2013 retirement, Joe was a project engineer with CB&I in Tyler. Joe enjoyed fishing, and even took some hunting trips in his young adult life. He adored pets and wildlife, often blurring the line by taking in baby deer and possum kits, in addition to the cats, dogs, and occasional cow. A Golden Circle member of the Association of Former Students’ Sul Ross Group, Joe supported Texas A&M philanthropically for more than 55 years. He loved cheering on the Aggies whether they won, or just ran out of time. In recent years his greatest joy was meeting and learning more about his 26 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Thanelle, daughter Thanet, and grandchildren Lucas Marsh and Alyssa Marsh. He is survived by his loving family including daughter Janie and her husband Reese Gullickson, son Jack Marsh and wife Kasey (FTAC ’97), and son Joel Marsh. Though he is with his heavenly father, bathed in glorious light and freedom, he will be sincerely missed. Services will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, with visitation at 1:00 p.m., and funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler, with Rev. Lee Evans officiating. Entombment procession will begin at 3:30 p.m. to Tyler Memorial Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, please honor Joe’s legacy by generously and frequently supporting your local animal shelter, or the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (www.fpwr.org).

Joe Ele Baggett

March 4, 1944 - November 12, 2025