Joe Minyard Robertson, son of the late Chester and Ruby (Burch) Robertson, was born Sep. 7, 1936, in Manes, and departed this life Oct. 11, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He was 84 years, 1 month and 4 days of age.
Joe was raised in Rayborn and graduated from Mountain Grove High School with the Class of 1954. Joe then went into the United States Army and honorably served his country. On Sep. 18, 1959, Joe was united in marriage to his best friend, Judy Massey. Four children were born to this union. Joe and Judy raised their family in Mountain Grove.
- Joe owned and worked at the Triangle Service Station in the beginning of his early adult life. He then worked for Hirsch-Bach Motor Lines as a mechanic for 17 years and then at Brown’s Hardware where he could fix anything. One of his favorite hobbies was fishing. He also loved traveling to Oklahoma every spring to fish for white bass and he especially enjoyed cooking and eating them. Joe also enjoyed spending time at the farm and was always willing to help out the neighboring farmers. Joe’s greatest passion was his family. He loved all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly and was their “Paw-paw.” He truly enjoyed watching them all grow up. Joe had a special kindness to his personality all children were drawn to. Joe was a God loving gentleman who had a deep love for his church, First Free Will Baptist of Mountain Grove, where he faithfully served as deacon for many years. Joe also served as a board member of the Hillcrest Cemetery of Mountain Grove. Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judy, and two brothers, Bill and Jack Robertson. Survivors include four children, Jerry Robertson and wife, Jan, of Kingwood, Texas; Janet Brown and husband, Marty, of Mountain Grove; Jim Robertson and wife, Meredith, of Brandon, Miss.; and Jonell Brown and husband, Charlie, of Mountain Grove; one brother, Ronnie Robertson and Delores, of Mountain Grove; one sister, Genell Rhodes and husband, Murel, of Mountain Grove; 12 grandchildren, Branwyn Salazar, Lyndse Schoeber, Jeff Strong, Brad Green, Kristi Halseth, Jill Brown, Holly Irwin, Hayden Robertson, Zaidee Robertson, Charles Brown, Danielle Brown and Kaylee Brown; 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives, friends, neighbors and church family who will miss him greatly. Graveside services for Joe Robertson were held Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery with the Rev. Gary Fry officiating. Song selections were “Holy Spirit Come” and “I Can Only Imagine.” Paul Harker, Radell Emmerson, Lavoid Jennings, Doyle VanGenderen and Tom Cooley served as honorary pallbearers. Burial with full military honors by the United States Army and American Legion Post No. 30 was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research or Hillcrest Cemetery in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.
