Joe Lyndon Radford
July 5, 1947 ~ September 10, 2021
Joe Lyndon Radford was born at home in Oakwood, Texas on July 5, 1947, to Robert (Bob) and Ora Faye Radford. He passed away on September 10, 2021, in Tennessee Colony, Texas. He lived and loved every minute of those 74 years.
Joe graduated from Oakwood High School in 1965 and later Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin State University. Joe was faithful to Oakwood until his death. He loved everyone and everything about Oakwood.
Joe cherished his family and loved his friends. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and was loyal to all he knew. He found good in everyone. He never met a stranger and surely never missed the opportunity to talk to someone.
Joe was extremely happy that all of his grandchildren will have college degrees. Being a school principal for so many years, he valued education and was so proud that his grandchildren did as well.
He loved to hunt, fish, play 42, spend time with his family and friends, and eat homemade ice cream and "real" banana pudding. He did not mince words with anyone. He was a peacekeeper and quick to say I am sorry and that he loved you.
Joe was a devoted husband of 51 years, dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Frankie Radford; daughter and son-in-law, Christy and Derrick Kaudelka; son and daughter-in-law, Jody and Christie Radford. Joe had five grandchildren that he adored: Kalli Jo Griffin and husband Jamie, Kolby Radford and wife Kaitlyn, Christian Kaudelka and wife Hana, Lauren Kaudelka, Morgan Worrell and husband Dustin; as well as five great grandchildren, Jacie, Bentley-Wayne, Briar Joe, Maisy, and Harper. Joe enjoyed his four sisters. Many family conversations were held regarding him being the only boy with four sisters: Robbie and George Scheel of Bay City, and Carolyn Smith of Houston survive him. He had nieces and nephews that he loved so much. Each one was special to him. In fact, the joke was that each was his favorite.
He is preceded in death by his parents: Bob and Ora Faye Radford and sisters: Connie Radford and Lou Hayes.
Friends are invited to a visitation and share memories of Joe from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Rhone Funeral Home.
A funeral service to celebrate Joe Radford's life is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Bro. Jerry Horine, Bro. Jack Smith, and Dan Manuel officiating. Interment will follow in Tennessee Colony Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Kolby Radford, Christian Kaudelka, James Griffin, Royce Hardin, Charles Beckendorf, Worthy Carpenter, Gary Colvin, Phillip Davis, and Kerry Birdwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Vaughan, Dwight Franklin, Johnny Keeling, David Mendilo, Rudy Flores, Andy Link, Mike Link, and Alex Rodriquez.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Klein and staff for the special attention they provided to him.
Joe prayed daily that his friends and family would all know Jesus Christ as their Savior. He wanted everyone in Heaven with him. What a glorious reunion there will be one day.
Funeral services for Joe Lyndon Radford are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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Dear Frankie, and All Family,
How wonderful to have had the honor of Joe Radford’s respect and friendship. What a wonderful professional relationship we had…..mutual respect, sharing of how to reach any particular student, empathy for each student and for each other as we worked to reach and teach a fourth-grader. Joe was a Master TEACHER. I totally understand his reasons for going into administration, but students missed much by not having Joe as a teacher. For instance, a Reagan Elementary student was given the opportunity to actually learn math and biology when Joe planted peas for the kid to harvest and sell the peas. The fourth-grade boy learned all his math in ways that would later evolve into adult-life money matters and learned biology, from germination to harvest to market place!!! Nothing was too much trouble for Joe when teaching a fourth-grader. Now, Jean Williams and Gay Logan and Chris Thornell are talking about the Reagan School and Southside School days, and are placing the halos on Joe’s head for the excellent and compassionate teacher Joe was. Oh, then there was the years when Joe was my principal at Coffield. He showed great respect for me and the respect was mutual. Above all this, and because of all this, Joe, Frankie and family became lasting friends. He was an asset to this society of East Texas.
With love and affection,
Sherrill Poff
Im very sorry for your loss. May Jesus provide you & your family comfort at this difficult time. My thoughts & prayers are with you. Kay Krebs – Palestine
Mr. Radford truly made this world a better place. He could always bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Mr. Radford was always considered my very favorite fourth grade teacher, even after he swatted and killed that nasty bat in the hall with his paddle ( the boys in class thought it was cool) he and his family later found me at Dr Herringtons office and he would always tell Judy he came there to see me, and gave the biggest hug and always called me My Elizabeth, he will be deeply missed and always admired, until we meet again, sending you with love and admiration ï¸ Elizabeth Hope
Dear Frankie,
I am just lost for words to find out Joe had passed away. I am so sorry. We go back a long way. With Joe working at Rush and you and I working at Washington. I will carry those memories with me til I die. And will be excited for a reunion in heaven with him and so many other family and friends. I love you and I am here for you. Praying for your children and grandkids through this time of your loss. May God hold you a little tighter as the following days come upon you. All my love Cindy Calcote
Frankie and family, I am sorry for your loss. Joe was a good man, and I know he will be deeply missed. It was a pleasure to have known him.
Joe will be missed, truly a good man.
Growing up with Joe, he always had a kind heart and a smile.
Could always find out what was happening in Oakwood from Joe.
My heart hurts so bad for you Frankie and your precious family! May God give you some kind of peace and comfort during this time as only HE can..So sorry for your loss..
Love Brenda Hodge Lee
Mr. Radford was my favorite teacher – he inspired my love for math and numbers. When I moved away – my mom would run into him or his wife and he would always ask about me. I was thrilled to reconnect with him last year at the theater and have lunch with he and his wife . It was surprising to find out how many connections we had in our lives to each other (family, friends, etc) COVID hit before we could get together again, but he was never out of my thoughts. When he was injured – my prayers went out to him and his family and I was saddened to learn of his passing – but I know we will see each other again. Praying for you all – he will be missed.
My precious friend; you will be missed forever.
Youre so loved by so many .
Till we meet again.
Janie
My heart goes out to you, Frankie. So sorry for your loss. Joe was always supportive and a joy to be aroumd. God bless you and your family.
Frankie and Family, Our condolences for the loss of Joe. He had an impact on so many lives. I was glad I had a chance to reminisce with him last week about being neighbors while at SHSU and our boys being born at the same time. He will be missed.
Genie, Kirk and I are so very grateful we knew this great person named Joe Radford. All our years in Tennessee Colony were made better because of Joe.
Frankie, we’re thinking of you and your family now and will keep you in our prayers. I don’t have your phone number, but just wanted you to know that we’re thinking of you.
Malinda and Terry Marshall
Even though Erin and I really didnt see Uncle Joe all that often, he always was extremely kind and made us feel like part of the family when we did come around. There arent enough really good men in this world so losing one of the best is tough. Our sincerest condolences to Aunt Frankie, Jody, Christy, their spouses, all the grandkids and the rest of Joes family.
Frankie; the service was beautiful.
My heart hurts so for you and the family.
Love and comfort for you, dear friend.
Joe was a true friend to so many and he valued friendships so much. That was who he was, but, Jesus was his closest friend, Saviot and King. He would often speak of his love for the Father and was a prayer warrior interceding for only God knows how many. Frankie we love you and are praying for you.
To the Radford Family – I dont think weve ever met, but I would like to share some thoughts about Mr. Radford with you in hopes that you feel joy in hearing about the impact he had on others. He was my kindergarten teacher at Rusk Elementary about 40 years ago. He was also the principal, which we all thought was pretty cool. Thats definitely the only time in my education journey where that happened. We could even hear when a student was spanked since his office connected to the classroom! Even though that was 40 years ago, I have distinct memories of his teaching style – including the joy he exuded when he taught. He had a way of connecting with each kid. There was a special table of toys in the room, and when you did something great, you got to pick a toy from the table. I even remember picking a plastic rendition of a McDonalds restaurant at one point. (I have no idea why I remember that!) He somehow managed to help us all uniquely where we were – stretching me to read higher levels than I should have been reading at that point, as an example. His smile, joy, and gentle spirit are burned into my memory, and he will remain one of the most impactful teachers in my life. I feel grateful that my education journey started with such an amazing teacher.
I had a chance to see Mr Radford about 10 years ago at my grandfathers funeral, and we had such a great time talking and catching up. It was such a blessing to me to reconnect with him after all those years. He spoke sweet words of encouragement and affirmation to me even as a grown adult with a family of my own.
I am so sorry for your loss. I only had his influence for one year of my life. I can only fathom the impact he had on all of you. I will be praying for Gods comfort and blessings for you all.
May the Lord comfort this family.
God Bless this Family.
It’s been over a decade since we were last able to visit with our Radford family in Texas, but I will always remember Uncle Joe as one of the most warm and welcoming individuals. I was searching for an obituary for my great-grandfather, Everett Radford (Tex) when I found this. My deepest condolences to his sweet family. We lost my father, Robert Kerns, in October 2022… remarkable men must run in the family. Love to all, Mariko (Kerns) Chaviano.
Mr. Radford, he was my BEST memory of 12 years of school! He was my fourth grade teacher. Loved him, so loved him. Never seen him without a smile on his face. We came in from recess in the heat, I could fall asleep, head on my desk. He would let me sleep and skip over me. When he wanted a Dr Pepper from the teachers lounge, he would always send me to get it. And he would whisper, “get you a drink of it on your way back.” 😠I adored him. He told me each day that I had a pretty dress on today. Mama always dressed me in dresses for school. He told me he really liked my name and if God gave him a little girl of his own, he would name her cristy…he did.
He is a VERY special person.. I say is, because praise Jesus he is more alive now than he’s ever been! I got to see him last when he visited our hamburger shop here in Palestine. He had seen my parents in town, asked how I was, and made a special stop to eat a burger and tell me hi. I was so happy to introduce him to my husband and children.
His smile was so contagious. When Jesus calls me home, Mr. Radford will be on my “first to see” list.
May Jesus surround your family in peace in knowing we will see that beloved smile again!