Joseph Jean Jr.

Joseph Wallace "Joe or J.W." Jean Jr., 87, a resident of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau the past five months, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Prior to that he and his wife, Roberta of 63 years, lived at Chateau Girardeau for 10 years. They moved to Cape Girardeau from Shreveport, La., in 2003 to be closer to their children.

He was born Dec. 16, 1926, in Blackwell, Okla., to Bessie Ellen and Joseph Wallace Jean Sr. of Three Creeks, Ark.

Joe moved frequently growing up, attending 13 different schools to follow his father who worked in the oil fields. He graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in petroleum engineering. He also attended Iola High School and Junior College, where he met his beloved wife, Roberta Fay Robb of LaHarpe, Kan.

He served in the Army as infantry unit commander in 1946 in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in Korea. He joined the Army Reserve in 1952.

After graduation Joe worked for Lion Oil Co. in 1951; in Snyder, Texas, in 1952; in Midland, Texas, in 1956; and later in the Shuler Fields outside of Eldorado, Ark. He was transferred to Shreveport in 1961 by Lion Oil. He later worked for Barnwell Drilling Co. nine years, became an independent contractor in 1969 and retired in the early 1980s.

He was a lifelong member of Society of Petroleum Engineers and a member of Shreveport Petroleum Club. He resided in Shreveport 42 years and was a member of Brookwood Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and spending time on Toledo Bend.

Survivors include his wife, Roberta of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Linda Phillips of Jackson and Julia Bricknell of rural Cape Girardeau County; a son, Robert Gregory "Greg" Jean of Cypress, Texas; seven grandchildren; a great-granddaughter on the way; a sister, Mary Jean Worf of Madison, Wis.; and a brother, William Hugh "Bill" Jean of Northport, Ala.

A private family memorial service was held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Family requests any memorials be made in his name to the charity of the contributor's choice.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.