Joe Litzelfelner Sr.

Joe Gene Litzelfelner Sr., 83, of Keller, Texas, passed away Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, after being in bad health for some time.

He was born June 20, 1930, in Jackson, the youngest son (10th child) of Odus and Ethel Litzelfelner. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1948, and had participated in football, basketball and baseball.

Joe served four years in the U.S. Navy on the USS Yellowstone, during which time he and Betty Gilbert of Jackson were married.

After the Navy, he joined his brothers Ralph, Jim and Jack in the Litz Bros. chicken industry in Jackson. He moved to Piggott, Ark., in 1955 to run the hatchery and growing operations. He later moved to Kennett, Mo., where he was a PR representative for Coca-Cola in Jackson.

Joe was an avid golfer and played in tournaments in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas several years. After retiring, he and Betty joined their three daughters and two sons in Dallas. Their oldest son, Joe Jr., was killed piloting a plane on a skiing trip in Colorado. His wife, daughter and a friend also were killed.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; four children, Denise (Mike) Ellis, Todd (Jerry Lewis) Litzelfelner, Holly (John) Sasiadek and Jill (Vic) Zanetti; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three siblings, Jack (Judy) Litzelfelner, Phyllis (Charles) Vickrey and Barbara Gorski; and two brothers-in-law, Gary (Joy) Gilbert and Donald (Betty) Gilbert.

Burial was Thursday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home in Colleyville, Texas, was in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Teton County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 1011, Jackson, WY 83001, attention: Teton County Search and Rescue.