Joel Timothy Lytle

Services for Joel Timothy Lytle, 37, of Killeen will be10:am Friday December 18, 2015 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. Joel Timothy Lytle was born May 1, 1978 at Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico and died December 15, 2015 in Killeen, Texas. He grew up the son of Joel and Christine Lytle, a pastor and Army Chaplain. The Lytle’s were stationed at Fort Hood. After graduation, Joel moved to California and lived with his Aunt Jane Lytle and his two cousins, Daniel and Carrie Lytle.

In 2000 Joel moved back to Killen and in 2004 he graduated from the Harker Heights Fire Academy. He then joined the Killeen Fire Department (KFD) and in 2006 Joel also became a paramedic. He served in the KFD for 9-1/2 years. He transferred to the Harker Heights Fire Department in 2014 and served until his death.

It was during that time, as a part time employee at The Home Depot, where he met Diane Martinez, and the two fell in love and married in June 2, 2013. They soon celebrated the birth of their son, Devin Carter Lytle. He was totally devoted to Diane, Devin and our family.

Joel lived his entire life committed to his family and demonstrated the qualities that Paul wrote about in Ephesians , 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32). The degree and depth of his genuine passion, complemented by the gift of selfless love was recognized and appreciated by all he knew and worked with.

Unlike today, when the world is filled with people only concerned with their own welfare, Joel demonstrated sacrificial love and showed us what that looks like. It’s the kind of love that only God can teach.

Thank you Joel for living the example of “Agape,” sacrificial love.

The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm Thursday December 17, 2015 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.

In lieu of flowers a go fund account has been set up for the family www.gofundme.com/Lytle