Reverend Joe Beshirs, 91, a long-time resident of Broken Bow, Okla. and Durant, Okla. entered his heavenly home on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was in Texoma Medical Center after falling and fracturing a hip.
He was born on the edge of the Red River Valley close to the small community of Yuba, Okla. on June 20, 1927 to James A. and Isadore Beshirs, the seventh of nine children. He attended public school in the Durant area and at the age of 17, Joe entered the U.S. Navy. He actively served and fought during World War II.
Upon returning to Durant, he began to attend church at First Assembly of God (Believer’s Church) where he met the love of his life, Gwindola Olene Copeland. About that time, Joe committed his life to Christ, and on Jan. 31, 1947 he married Olene in Durant. He felt a calling to go into the ministry and they moved to Waxahachie, Texas where he graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God Bible Institute.
He served as an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God for 60 years, pastoring churches in the South Texas, North Texas and Oklahoma districts. They were blessed with a son and two daughters as they began their lifetime calling of serving in the Pastoral Ministry. Joe and Olene celebrated 68 years of marriage just eight days before her homegoing.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Olene in 2015. She once wrote, “Heaven is the place we are all striving for, living and preparing to go and some loved ones have just gone on a little while before us.” She was referring to their son, James Aaron Beshirs (1947 – 1977). Joe was also preceded in death by his son-in-law Dr. Dueward Wimberly, his parents, and siblings: James (Jimmy) Beshirs, Ruel (Buster) Beshirs, Andrew (Jude) Beshirs, Maudie Mae Campbell, Leo (John) Beshirs, Leora (Sis) Yandell, O.C. (Benny) Beshirs, and Wanda Smith.
Joe is survived by his two daughters who were the light of his life: Sharon Wimberly Davis, (husband, Larry) of Kerrville, TX and Kathy Park of San Angelo, TX. He is also survived by grandchildren Leslie Williams (Monty), Shane Wimberly (Anya), Phillip Beshirs-Metzgar, Krissy Blex (Tony), Angie Beshirs-Metzgar Shepard, Brad Wimberly (Leah), Mandy Newman (Greg), and Rick Davis (Lori) The added “twinkle” in Joe’s life was the joy of great-grandchildren Bethany, Autumn, Landon, Jacob, Shannen, Vanson, Tristan, Karis, Ella, Baron, Selah, Brystal, Dawson, Eva, Naomi, and Luca.
The main purpose in life for Joe was to encourage people to strive to make Heaven their home. He was a pastor with a servant’s heart, a “fervent prayer warrior” and “a great man of God”. It was so important to him to leave a Christian legacy for his family.
Joe enjoyed many hobbies, including carpentry, building two homes for him and Olene during their lifetime, as well as furniture for them and family members His landscaped yards, flower and vegetable gardens were legendary. Joe and Olene also traveled in their 5th wheel to 48 of the United States and celebrated a birthday on an Alaskan Cruise.
Joe was known as a very positive person, kind, easygoing and a big tease! He used to say that he and Mom were both so happy when grandkids came to visit – Mom was happy to see them come and he was happy to see them leave! Joe dearly loved his family, always had an encouraging word, and will be remembered for his kind heart and gentle spirit. His mischievous smile with that twinkle in his eye will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation: Sunday 2-4 p.m. Brown’s Funeral Home Durant, Okla.
Funeral Service: Monday 11 a.m., Believer’s Church, 49th Street, Durant, Okla.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Encompass Hospice for the loving care of Joe. Also the family thanks Featherstone Assisted Living for becoming his family and “home away from home”.