Joel Eugene Morrow

Joel Eugene Morrow was born on December 9, 1941 and passed away in Richmond, Texas on January 6, 2019.  Joel is survived by his wife, Lydia Ann; daughter Lydia Ruth Giordano of Richmond, Texas; son Michael Louis Wayne Morrow of Houston, Texas; his sister Dr. Barbara Nedry of Stafford, Texas, and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Thelma Dopps Morrow, father Joel Wayne Morrow, and brother Lawrence Wayne Morrow. 

Joel was born in Bay City, Texas to Ruth and Joel Morrow. He was the first of their three children. Joel, also known as Gene growing up, began his business career at an early age, selling Christmas cards door to door at 5 years old. He met his lifelong sweetheart, Lydia Ann Shaw, in college at Wharton County Junior College, and after much persistence she consented to go out with him. They were married five months later, moved to Houston, and then were blessed with two children, Lydia (Dia) and Michael.

Joel set sales records at Proctor & Gamble while continuing his trading at flea markets, and soon opened the first of 8 pawn shops around Houston and then his jewelry manufacturing company, JBJ Distributors. A passion for guns and miniatures resulted in the Imperial Miniature Armory, and Joel later provided guns to the Smithsonian and the Cody Wyoming Cowboy Museums for exhibition. His last great project was his ranch in Bay City, a lifelong dream.

Joel’s love of wildlife and hunting began with ducks and took him around the US and the world, making many lifelong friends along the way from Russia to Africa. Everyone who met Joel was treated with the same respect whether a ranch worker, a film star, or a cultural icon, and Joel was equally generous with them all. He was larger than life in his activities, his friendships, his dreams and his generosity.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Friday, January 11, 2019 from half past six until half past nine o’clock in the evening at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas 77098.  A second visitation will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at ten o’clock in the morning followed by the funeral service at eleven o’clock at First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77479.  There will be a brief reception followed by burial at Cedarvale Cemetery in Bay City, Texas.