Joseph "Joe" David Armistead Sr.

Joseph “Joe” David Armistead Sr., age 84, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Joe was born on November 12, 1939 in San Antonio to loving parents, Joseph Hamilton Armistead and Agnes Goode Armistead. Joe was raised in Beaumont, Texas before moving to Elizabeth Town, Kentucky during WWII. After a few years the family moved to Center Point, Texas for a short time where Joe discovered his love for the Hill Country. After Joe graduated high school in Corpus Christi, he attended Lamar University earning his bachelor’s degree, and married the love of his life, Mary Virginia Edds on June 12, 1963 in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi. In 1963, Joe entered the United States Army and served his first tour during the Vietnam War. When his tour was over, Joe returned and in 1964 re-joined the Army as an officer and served his second tour during the Vietnam War. His military schooling included attending the U.S. Navy War College Class of 1973 and the Army War College Class of 1983. He also earned a master’s degree from George Washington University. The years to follow blessed them with three children, 28 years in the Army, and countless duty stations throughout the United States and overseas; retiring as a Colonel. During his military career, Joe received the following awards: Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, two awards of the Army Achievement Medal, nine awards of the Air Medal, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Bronze Star, including one with “V” device for valor, and the Legion of Merit.

After retirement in 1990, Joe and Mary moved back to Corpus Christi and then to Center Point in 1993. In retirement, Joe continued to serve the community as an Elder in the Center Point Christian Church, Kerr County Elections Official, Guadalupe River Authority Board Member, Center Point Lions Club member, and President of the Center Point Historical Preservation Association. Upon Mary’s passing in 2014, after 50 years of marriage, Joe relocated in 2018 to the Army Residence Community in San Antonio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Hamilton Armistead and Agnes Goode Armistead; wife, Mary Virginia Armistead and is survived by family members, Mark and Susan Jansen of Kerrville; John Edds of Santa Maria, California; and children, Virginia Lynn Armistead DeYeso of Bon Aqua, Tennessee; Joseph David Armistead, Jr and wife Kathy of Allen, Texas; and Thomas Stetson Armistead and wife Dawn of Fredericksburg, Texas; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral service attendees will include close family friends and pallbearers, Wyatt Stetson Armistead, Gavin Rhodes, William Park, Don Diltz, Will Thompson, and Mark Bryan.

 Funeral Services for Joe will be held at 10am on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at the Center Point Christian Church located at 100 Church Street in Center Point by presiding Minister Scott Turner. Interment will follow at the Center Point Cemetery with military honors.

 Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kerrville Funeral Home (830) 895-5111