Roll Call Tribute

Joe Daniel Bricker
October 3, 1944 - December 10, 2022

Funeral services for Joe Bricker, 78 of Lexington, Texas, are scheduled for 10:00 am on Friday, December 16, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Lexington, Texas with Pastor Chris Bruce officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at the church with the family greeting guests from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Joe Daniel Bricker, the son of James Vernon and Martha Annie Bricker, was born at home in Austin, Texas on October 3, 1944. He was one of six children born into the family with 3 older sisters and two younger ones: Earline Bricker Burns, Verna Bricker Dawson, Juanita Bricker Graham, Margaret Bricker Newman, and Lois Ann Bricker Richter.

The family lived in Austin where he helped his father at the family’s gas station. He learned early about all things mechanical and enjoyed repairing cars. Joe went to live for a time outside of Big Bend National Park near the Rio Grande River where his father, Vernon Bricker, worked for the Texas Border Patrol.

The Bricker family later moved to Blue, Texas when Joe was a teenager in the 7th grade. Joe changed quickly from a “city boy” to a country boy to fit in with the other students and made Lexington his hometown. He quickly captured the attention and heart of Katharine Harrison and became her high school sweetheart. They were married after Katharine graduated from high school when Joe was 20 and Katharine was 18.

Joe’s intrigue of machinery and working parts sparked an interest in engineering. He became the first in his family to attend college. He attended Texas A&M University earning a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree and was a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets during his college career. His love of the outdoors and hunting continued as he and his college friends routinely spent weeknights in the woods and weekends on the Brazos River.

Upon TAMU graduation in 1967, Joe began a forty-plus year career as a mechanical engineer. His career was devoted to building and managing power plants all throughout the state of Texas for TXU Energy and LCRA. The joy and enjoyment of his career was never lost on anyone who knew him! He gained the respect of numerous individuals and companies throughout the years, and the friendships gained and fostered were ones that lasted his lifetime.

In 1977, Joe moved Katharine and his three children, Patrick, JoLyn, and Jennifer back to Lexington. At this time he joined Katharine’s father, John Harrison, in running the family ranch. He also ventured into building a herd of pure-bred Beefmaster cattle. Working on the family ranch became a source of pride and a true love of Joe’s in which he spent many evenings and weekends working.

Joe also served as a deacon for a very long time at First Baptist Church of Lexington. He enjoyed serving others and supporting the ministry of the church while encouraging others to keep forging forward in faith, do your best in all you set out to do, seek forgiveness and make amends as best as you can, and make your family and loved ones the highest of priorities above any materialistic possession.

Joe entered into the presence of his Savior Jesus Christ on December 10, 2022.

Joe Bricker is preceded in death by his devoted wife, Katharine Louise Harrison Bricker; his parents, James Vernon and Martha Annie Bricker, and sisters, Earline Burns, Verna Dawson, Juanita Graham, and Lois Ann Richter.

He is survived by his son, Patrick Bricker and wife Kimberley Bricker of Ketchikan, Alaska; daughter, JoLyn Bricker of Bryan, Texas; and daughter Jennifer Davis and her husband John Dan Davis of Lexington, Texas. In addition, he is survived by many grandchildren that were the light of his life, for being their “Aca” was his pride and joy: Daniel & Kaitlyn Bricker, Johnson Bricker, Brooke Lansford, Heath Lansford, Grant Lansford, Jack Lansford, Reese Lansford, Anna Bricker, and Jason Bricker. He was also blessed with many step-grandchildren: John Dan Davis, Jr., Keith Davis, Carter Davis, Samuel & Sara Davis, Allyson Davis, and Emily & Reagan Moughon, along with their son, Carrington. Margaret Newman is both a beloved sister and a dear friend. The extended Bricker family is a large loving family consisting of many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Daniel Bricker, Heath Lansford, Grant Lansford, Jack Lansford, Jason Bricker, and Matthew Turner. Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Bricker, Johnson Bricker, Henry Cantu, and Randy Wrinkle.

Memorials may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through First Baptist Church in Lexington or to the charity of one’s choice.