Born in Bonham, Texas on May 16, 1931, Joseph Cravens Denton, Jr. was the only son of Joseph Cravens Denton, Sr. and Grace Broyles Denton.
As a young man, he excelled at sports, playing football, basketball, baseball and golf for Bonham High School. Later golf became his lifelong sport of choice where he achieved shooting his age for eight consecutive years. He received a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of Kappa Signa fraternity. He completed his Masters’ Degree plan at SMU prior to enrolling in Gupton Jones Institute of Mortuary Science. After completing mortuary school, Joe joined his father in the family business, Wise Funeral Home.
In June 1952, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Campbell. Their marriage lasted for over sixty-seven years. Their daughters are Cathy, Jane and Jody. Joe helped manage the funeral home and provided ambulance service for the greater Fannin County area. He buried dignitaries, friends, the well-known and the unknown people from the county. He was caring, compassionate, ethical and a great comfort to many. As he reminded all of us, it is important to take care of the deceased, but the real care goes to the surviving family members.
Joe was civically active in Bonham, including serving on the Bonham High School - School Board and later President, in Rotary Club, on the Boards of Bonham State Bank and the Bonham Savings & Loan, a member of the Bonham Golf Club and the First Christian Church.
An astute businessman, Joe positioned Wise Funeral as a take-over target. In, 1981, Joe accepted a purchase offer, sold the business and remained a consultant for several years. Joe continued to be active in Bonham activities until the passing of his mother in 1990, when he and Carolyn relocated to Plano. They were active members of Custer Road Methodist Church where Joe served on the Finance Committee for many years.
Their later years were in Plano, Dallas and McKinney. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Grace Denton. He is survived by his wife Carolyn Campbell Denton, daughters Cathy Denton Taylor (Jimmie), Jane Denton Jones (Rick) and Jody Denton Cooper (Paul). He was “Gran” to four grandchildren, Abigail Jones, Allison Jones Weaver (John), Denton Muse (Haley) and Ben Muse (Kelsey) and four great grandchildren: Jones Weaver, Mac Weaver, Margot Weaver and Collins Muse.
The family would also like to extend its greatest appreciation for the exceptional care of loving family friend Leslie Engelmann and caregivers Joe Johnson and Daneen Ransom.
Due to the current corona virus environment, the family will have an outdoor memorial and interment at Willow Wild Cemetery, 1220 W. 7th Street, Bonham, Texas on Thursday at 3:00pm. Friends and family are welcome but are asked to social distance and wear masks.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Joe and Carolyn’s favorite charities, ‘Chloe’s Pet Rescue.’ Chloe’s is a 501 (c ) 3 charitable organization and can be found at www.chloespetrescue.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Denton family.
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