Joe C. Wilkinson

The funeral service for Joe Wilkinson, 78, of Whitesboro, is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, July 14, 2017 at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home in Gainesville with Rev. Hollis Parsons officiating. Interment will follow at Arledge Ridge Cemetery in Bonham. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, July 13 at the funeral home.

Mr. Wilkinson passed away peacefully on July 10, 2017 in Denison.

Joe was born September 19, 1938 in rural Fannin County to James Lois and Betty Cleo (Gilbreath) Wilkinson. He graduated from Bailey High School in Bailey, TX. Mr. Wilkinson married Annette Long on February 14, 1986 in Gainesville. He worked as a manager for Babcock Brothers, winning Salesman of the Year numerous times. He was also employed as a Sales Manager for Endres Distributing and eventually retired from Texas Women’s University. Always enjoying athletics, Mr. Wilkinson played baseball for the Gainesville Owls and refereed basketball and umpired baseball throughout North Texas for over 20 years. He enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren, being an avid fisherman, and yard work.

Survivors include: wife of 31 years, Annette Wilkinson of Whitesboro; daughter Laurel Neu and husband Chris of Lindsay; daughter Maria Buckle and husband Ed of Spring Hill, FL; step-son Jeff Braden and wife Robin of Keller; grandchildren: Shawn Neu (Jacqueline), Eric Neu (Anna), Melissa Neu, Jeremy Sparks (Jackie), Amanda Buckle, Austin Braden, and Logan Braden; nine great-grandchildren; brother James Harold Wilkinson and wife Jackie of Denison; sister-in-law Linda Goodarzi of Houston; brother-in-law Bill Long of Oklahoma City, OK; seven nieces and nephews; and many other beloved relatives.

Mr. Wilkinson was preceded in death by: his parents; and son Mark Wilkinson.

Mr. Wilkinson’s grandsons and sons-in-law will be serving as pallbearers. Serving as honorary pallbearers are: Joe Gibson, Charles Gibson, Troy Doyle, and James Wilkinson.