CH (LTC) Joseph William Magruder (US Army Ret.)

CH (LTC) Joseph W. Magruder (US Army, Ret.) went to meet God, the Father Almighty, in the early morning hours of May 2, 2012. Born in Pauls Valley, OK, on April 22, 1933 to Owen and Hope Magruder, Joe came to know the Lord as his Savior at a very early age, and was ordained as a Baptist minister at the young age of 16, knowing that his life’s calling was to serve his Lord and Master.

Joe grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Central High School in 1951. After high school, he went to the University of Oklahoma for a short time and then was drafted into the United States Army. During that time, he married his high school sweetheart, Nelda Heller, on December 27, 1953. Upon his honorable discharge with good conduct medal, he entered Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated in 1958, going on to graduate in 1964 with a degree in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth.

After seminary, Joe re-entered the United States Army as a Chaplain, 2nd Lieutenant. In his 20 years in the Army, he served with pride and distinction, as a Chaplain to soldiers and paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne, 1st Infantry Div., 3rd Infantry Div., Armor School in Ft. Knox and 18th Engineering Brigade in Vietnam, including the Bronze Star. Retiring in 1983, he and Nelda moved to Austin.

Retirement was too tame, so Joe earned his teaching credentials (including a Doctor of Ministries Degree) and taught a number of years as a high school teacher at Leander High School and LBJ High School, teaching economics and US government. He always talked fondly of his “kids” and regaled his family with many stories.

Joe and Nelda have been members of Anderson Mill Baptist Church since 1983, where he taught many a Sunday School class, sang in the choir and served as a deacon for many years. Joe also served as interim and visiting pastor for many churches in Austin, including Rosedale Baptist, Anderson Mill Baptist, and Northwest Baptist. Joe was an active member of the Sonshiners and fondly talked of the many activities that he shared with the other members.

Joe had a great love of all sports, esp. golf and college football. He was an avid fan of the Texas A&M Aggies and the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

Joe and Nelda were members of the Austin Square & Round Dance Association of Texas, in the Apache Raindancers Club. Joe served as Chaplain for the Association from 1994 to 2009.

Joe is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nelda; daughter, Jean (Phil) Thompson; two sons, Joe (Robin) Magruder and Jay (Meg) Magruder; grandsons, Phillip (Jessie) Thompson, James and Justin Magruder, and one great grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his siblings, Lovenia (Charles) Taylor, Owen (Kay) Magruder, David (Wanda) Magruder, and Paul (Kay) Magruder. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews (and their children, who fondly referred to him as “Uncle Buddy”). He is predeceased by his parents, an infant brother, and infant grandson, Jacob.

Open viewing will be Sunday, May 6 from 1-5 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road. Family visitation and praise worship will be from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at Anderson Mill Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at Anderson Mill Baptist Church, 10633 Lake Creek Parkway, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 7, 2012. Burial with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Central Texas Cemetery in Killeen. All are welcome to attend.

Joe’s crowning glory and legacy is that he served his Lord with all his heart, and knowing that someday his children and grandchildren will join him in glory.