Joe Erwin Winrow

Joe was born on July 12, 1942 to mother, Ollie M. and father, Arlander Winrow in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. He was the eighth out of eleven children. Raised to work hard on his Uncle Mack and Aunt Rose’s farm in Oklahoma, Joe was very strong, athletic and full of life as a youth. He enjoyed riding the family horse “Buckshot”, “playing cowboys” with his brothers and cousins, playing baseball, softball, and especially was he good at basketball. He loved fishing, hunting and being an overall ‘country boy’.

At 20 years of age, he was drafted into the US Navy and was stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington. In the Navy, Joe played on the US Naval Basketball team. He would be commissioned a tour of duty in the Philippines. Joe served in the Navy for 6 years, during which time he met Joani Pirtle, while in Oak Harbor. While Joe was still in the navy, Joani was contacted by Jehovah’s Witnesses and began studying God’s Word the bible, which she took very seriously and shared this strong love for God with Joe. Soon after, Joe too began to study with the Witnesses and developed his own deep love for Jehovah, dedicated his life to him and was baptized in March of 1968. Both Joe and Joani have been serving Jehovah God continuously for the last 55 (plus) years.

The two married on November 19th, 1966 and started their family, while Joe completed his naval service for the first 2 years of their marriage. That family would eventually grow to consist of four daughters: Veronica Joesette, Kristina Marie, Maya Malita, Tova Kimmoni, and one son, Micah Josef. As a father he was very involved in spending time and training his children. When the girls were small, he would comb their hair, and spell Joani at times by taking the kids to a movie so she could get a few hours of quiet. He was a “home chef”, well known for his smoked barbeque, fried green tomatoes, and every winter his ‘ice-box’ cookies and small turnover pies.

Joe was very creative and had a knack for building. He studied carpentry and made general contracting his career skill. He was an extremely hard worker and provider for his family. He worked long hours each day, and although often tired, he never neglected his weekly meeting attendance and he always had a full share in the door to door preaching work, which he deeply cherished. Joe was pleased to help many learn bible truths. He had a deep love for people and was very generous with his time and energy. Joe enjoyed many privileges of service, like being able to assist in the Baptismal pool at assemblies and conventions. He often would volunteer on Kingdom Hall projects, either building them or preparing food for the volunteers. He would often make himself available as a ‘handy-man’ in the congregation for so many of his friends.

Joe was best known for his quick-witted humor, unique expressions (when announcing that he would be leaving, he would say: “I’m gone like a fox through the corn!”…When he would pay you a compliment for dressing nice, he would say: “You cleaner than the board of health on New Year’s Eve”…or, “You cleaner than a Safe-way chitlin”)… he had a fiery personality, and a generous spirit.

Joe loved spending time with his friends, playing ‘Bid-wiss’ and dominoes, often times spending many hours playing and teaching such games with his grandchildren. He loved music, and would love to talk about some of his favorite performers that he saw live at the Big Fresno Fair, like Gladys Knight and also the Temptations. He would also like to surprise you with some James Brown inspired footwork. He enjoyed watching old westerns and would quote the cowboys like Roy Rodgers and “Hop along” Cassidy, Lash Larue. He loved to unwind after work by watching the sitcom Benson and the mysteries of Matlock.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Arlander, his mother Ollie M. His siblings: older sister Bradie Lee Winrow, older brother, Freeman and younger brother Orlando…and daughter Tova Kimmoni Winrow.

Joe is survived by His beloved wife: Joani Winrow. Daughters: Veronica, Kristina, Maya and son: Micah. Seven siblings: Anna Jean Brown, Ollie Ruth Henix, Dora Lavern Doolittle, John Calvin Winrow, Robert Lee Winrow, Loretta Collins, Sonja Marie Cason. Twelve grandchildren: Christopher, London, Lance, Joani, Gianni, Kimmoni, Taylor, Morris, Kamillah, Willow, Autumn and Violet…and 13 great-grandchildren and host of relatives and friends.

Please join us virtually as we celebrate the life of Joe on Saturday, Dec. 3rd at 3:30pm. Go to Zoom to join us: Meeting ID: 92412966273 Password: 228769