Joseph Crawford Applewhite

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Applewhite. He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Walter Robert Applewhite(Teresa), Joe Crawford Applewhite, Jr. and James Byron Applewhite(Linda); 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

He graduated from Winona High School, Winona Mississippi. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. Attended Mississippi State University earning a degree in Civil Engineering. Was a member of the ROTC, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity.

He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the ROTC US Army Reserves and was called into active duty during the Korean War. He served as a recognizant survey officer and later as a forward observer with the Third infantry division, and was promoted to First Lieutenant. After being relieved from active duty in Korea, Joe married the love of his life, Mary Beth McFadden, and was then stationed in Boston, Mass as a battery commander of one of several anti-aircraft batteries which surrounded the Boston area. Upon his honorable discharge, he was employed as an estimator at Robert E. McKee General Contractors in Dallas. After 5 years with Robert E. McKee he was offered the position of structural engineer with Thomas S. Johnson Assoc. in Starkville, Miss. He later formed his own design and build Construction Company, JCA Construction Services, Inc. in Starkville. His work included several large buildings around the state including Wesley Foundation Building, a new cafeteria and kitchen at Mississippi State University as well as numerous banks around the area.

Joe served as an active member of the Mississippi General Contractors Assoc. and served as its President. Served as treasurer of the board of directors Herschede Hall Clock Company after its relocation to Starkville. In 1970, closed JCA and relocated to Dallas becoming a project manager for Inwood Construction Co. and later at Sam P. Wallace Co. After several years, he was employed and named Senior Vice-president at Robert E. McKee in Dallas. During this time, he initiated annual employee improvement seminars as well as a quality control program in order to improve the contracting profession. Because of these ideas, he was later invited to lecture graduate students at MIT concerning implementation of this quality control program and presented MIT with the manual written by McKee employees. Upon the sale of Robert E. McKee to Santa Fe Southern Pacific, he became a consulting engineer and later owner of John P. Wold and Associates until his retirement.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Pi Kappa Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternities, ROTC Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi General Contractors Assoc., Charter member and Lay preacher for Aldersgate Methodist Church and several surrounding churches. He was a faithful member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, The Gideons, Military Order of the World Wars and The John Birch Society.

His military service was from 1951-1956 United States Army, serving as First Lt. Army Artillery, serving at Ft. Bliss, TX, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, Ft. Banks, Massachusetts, and Republic of North Korea with 3rd Infantry division. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in Korea, the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Korea service Medal with two battle stars, Republic of Korea Commendation medal and the National Defense Medal.

A graveside service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the Applewhite Historical Cemetery in Vaiden Mississippi, with Rev. Ron Williams Officiating, under direction of Lloyd James Funeral Home, Tyler, Texas.

The family request Charitable Memorials be made to, In lieu of flowers, Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas or Samaritans Purse.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lloydjamesfuneralhome.com for the Applewhite family.