May 3, 1956 December 15, 2025
Joe Ross Stutts, Jr., 69, of Joaquin, TX, passed away after a long illness, Monday, December 15, 2025, in Tenaha, TX. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center, Texas, with visitation beginning at noon. Long-time family friend Buddy White of Weatherford, Texas, will officiate. Interment will follow at Joaquin Cemetery in Joaquin, Texas. There will be a reception for family and friends afterward at the Joaquin Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
Born May 3, 1956, in Houston, Texas, Joe is the son of Joe Ross Stutts, Sr. and Virginia Ann Young Stutts. He graduated from Madison High School in 1974 and the University of Houston in 1979. Joe’s career had several distinct chapters. During the 1980s and early 90s, he worked for Gerald D. Hines Interests where he served as Property Manager for the Transco Tower, Galleria and Canal Place in New Orleans. Following health issues, he retired from property management and pursued a quieter life running a ranch in Schulenburg, Texas. He later returned to property management in Houston where he managed the Arena Towers and other buildings.
In a distinct change of pace, Joe carved another niche for himself working retail for many years, selling western wear for Cavender’s near the Astrodome and later at Pinto Ranch in Houston and at Northpark in Dallas. Retail came easy for Joe because of his friendly way of engaging with people.
You could enter a store and easily find Joe, as there always seemed to be a sound of laughter wherever he was. After moving home to Joaquin in 2016, he ran the western department at Ace Hardware in Center, Texas. He was a proud Lifetime Committeeman and Life Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Joe was a kind and gentle man. He loved animals and the beauty of the natural world, sensing the spirit in all things. He was a member of St Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston. He had a deep connection with his family and collected records, photographs and stories that meant so much to him. He was also a great manager of people and was well respected and liked by those who worked with him. We will miss his quirky humor and steadfast ways.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Whiddon Shortell of Joaquin; stepson, Joseph Henry Shortell III of Philadelphia, Penn.; brother David Young Stutts and wife, Carla, of Houston; sisters, Laurie Ann Stutts of Houston and Amy Stutts Martin and husband, Chris Martin, of Houston; nephews, Blake Young Stutts and wife, Robin, of Austin, Kevin Roy Stutts and wife, Mandy, of Houston and Sean Alexander Martin of Houston; mother-in-law, Harriot McKinney Whiddon of Lufkin; sister-inlaw, Barbara Chandler of Dallas, and brother-inlaw Orren Prentice Whiddon of Artemas, Penn.; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by parents, Rev. Joe Ross Stutts, Sr., and Virginia Ann Young Stutts; and father-in-law Lt. General Orren Ray Whiddon.
Pallbearers will be Blake Stutts, Kevin Stutts, Alex Martin, David Stutts, Chris Martin, and Rodney Whiddon.
The family would like to thank Tina and Chad Hutto of Christian Love Private Home Care and Accent Care Hospice of Carthage for the excellent care they took of Joe during the last year of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Love Private Home Care in Tenaha.