Alex “Joe” Joseph Stelly, 90, of Beaumont, died
Monday, October 12, 2015 in his home. He was born in Vermilion Parish,
Louisiana, on September 17, 1925, the fourth of seven children, to Elmire
Bertrand Stelly and Ora Stelly.
Joe was a United States Army Veteran, serving in the
Philippines. Upon discharge in 1946, he went to barber
school in Houston and practiced his trade in Honey Island, Batson and finally
reached South Park, Beaumont, where he stayed for more than sixty years.
While in Beaumont Joe rented a room with the Francis
family for more than twenty years – so many that their grandchildren thought he
was family.
A lifelong Catholic, Joe was a founding member of
Assumption Parish. He was a member of
the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus Council 5035 and Faithful
Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Joe attended daily
Mass until unable to do so.
He was a sports enthusiast and being a barber in
front of South Park Schools, he made many friends, both student and community
who have remained true to him to this day.
In 1965, Joe married Marie Falco with whom they had
three children – a son, Alex Jr., and twin girls, Janet and Nancy. His family
became his life. His gardening provided food for them and the neighborhood. Joe’s
satsumas each year were legendary.
His last years of retirement were physically
difficult but he kept busy gardening and mowing (his very favorite pastime).
Joe leaves behind his wife of fifty years, Marie;
son, Alex Jr., and his wife Devin; daughters, Nancy Gonzalez
of Beaumont, and Janet Stelly of Austin; grandchildren, Madison, Joey
and Savannah Stelly, and Tyler and Hunter Gonzalez, all of Beaumont; and
sister, Lily Mae Duhon of Arlington.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters,
Anita Tomlinson, Ades Emery, Melba Oliva; and brothers, Relis, Eli and Leo
Stelly.
A Rosary for Mr. Stelly
will be recited at 6:00 p.m., followed by a time for remembrances, Thursday,
October 15, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 16, 2015, at
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, with his
interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial Contributions
may be made to the Joe Stelly South Park Scholarship, in care of Lamar
University, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
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