Joel Dean Pelham

JOEL DEAN PELHAM passed away peacefully of natural causes at his Conroe home on July 29, 2019. He was born in Groesbeck, Texas on July 16, 1933 and was preceded in death by his father Elra Alton Pelham, mother Louise Campbell Pelham, sisters Darlene Fisher and Alta Pelham and brother Gerald Pelham. Married in 1962, he is survived by wife Jackie Pelham, children Linda Jones, Angela Fenton and Joel Pelham, Jr., and grandchildren Jake Fenton, Carlie Fenton Dziki, Hailey Pelham and Hunter Pelham. He became a father figure to Jackie’s brother Jeffrey Highfill when Jeff’s father passed away. Jeff’s children are Sara, Tara, and Christopher Highfill. Joel is also survived by nieces Lisa Pelham-Jacobs, Gena Pelham, Kim Fisher, nephews Kelly Fisher, Stacey Pelham, and Donnie Pelham, and many cousins and extended families and has been a surrogate figure to numerous acquaintances in business and personal life. Joel is preceded in death by his nephew Kevin Fisher.

Joel was eleven or twelve when he and family moved to Houston. Thus began a lasting work ethic. In 1966 with a few dollars in hand he and Jackie started Weldwire Company of Texas, Inc. which sold welding wire but segued into manufacturing automated welding equipment such as positioners, turning rolls, manipulators, etc. Through hard work and careful financial acumen they survived the fluctuating oil economy and enjoyed a comfortable livelihood.

Joel loved “get togethers” as he called them especially with family. He enjoyed refurbishing Schwinn bicycles and was a classic car enthusiast attending meets where he showed his 1934 Ford. As a youngster he rode a Cushman Motor Scooter to work and purchased one later in life and became one of the first members of the Cushman Motor Scooter Club.

Joel’s mantra was if you lived life with a positive attitude, honesty, and keeping one’s word that rewards would abound. He proved this through the love and respect of his family and of anyone who met him. He will be greatly missed by all.

Services to be held Sunday August 4, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Park, The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18,000 Interstate 45 S, The Woodlands, TX 77384, 936-321-5115. Following the chapel and graveside service there will be a reception at the funeral home.