Van Alstyne, Texas -- Joseph (Joe) Daniel Eatherly, 98, of Van Alstyne passed away peacefully Saturday, May 23, 2015, at his home in Van Alstyne. Eatherly was the last surviving child of pioneers James Earl and Edna Belle George Eatherly of Grayson County. He was born in Van Alstyne on the Eatherly farm November 5, 1916.  After graduating from Van Alstyne High School, he attended University of North Texas in Denton where he majored in pre-law and economics.

Joe married Allene Brown of Sherman, Texas December 11, 1945 in Sherman, Texas. They moved from Sherman to Van Alstyne in 1953 when he became wholesale distributer for Humble Oil and Refining Company later known as Exxon.  The business served farmers and service stations in south Grayson and Collin County.  He was recognized by Exxon for the large number of farm accounts.  He was asked to present to Humble’s district meeting his philosophy on farm business.  His presentation was published in the Humble Energy Marketer. 

Eatherly also farmed and raised Hereford cattle on the Eatherly farm.  He was recognized in 2004 by then Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Susan Combs for having owned and operated a continuous agricultural operation for 100 years.   Joe enjoyed sharing with his family the story of his father, James, buying and farming the land at age 19 and of his maternal grandfather, Judge J.D. George, saddling his horse at his farm at Lincoln Park to travel to Austin as a state legislator. He was a lifetime member of Van Alstyne First Baptist Church where he was a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, and served on the pulpit, finance, and grounds committees. 

Joe thoroughly enjoyed talking and laughing with friends and strangers that soon became new friends.  His love for Grayson County, Van Alstyne, and its people led him to become active in civic affairs. Eatherly became a Master Mason in 1945 in the Mantua Lodge No. 209 AF & AM and received his 65-year certificate and pin from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas. He belonged to Mantua Lodge for 69 years. He was Past Master of his lodge 3 times and District Deputy Grand Master in 1966 for the Fourth Masonic District which included 13 lodges in Grayson County.  He received the Golden Trowel Award for outstanding service to his lodge and community. As a York Rite Mason, he served as High Priest for the Haggai Chapter No. 53, Past Master of the Haggai Council No. 38 and Past Commander of Commandery No. 34, McKinney, Texas. 

In 1964, Eatherly was the 552nd Mason in Texas to receive the Knights of the York Cross of Honour. He was a charter member of the North Texas York Rite College No. 118, Sherman, Texas.

Eatherly served as Vice President of the Grayson County Development Council representing Van Alstyne and President of the Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce. He received the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award for work in the Van Alstyne Chamber of Commerce, his church and the Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Van Alstyne I.S.D. Board of Trustees for 18 years, the Van Alstyne City Council 14 years, and a member of the Board of Directors of the South Grayson Water System 27 years.  He was instrumental in the forming of the Van Alstyne Public Library. 

Joe was a charter member and Past President of the library. His hobbies included bird and deer hunting with his friends. After retiring from Exxon, he and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and spending time each summer in Colorado trout fishing. Eatherly was preceded in death by his parents; brothers James Earl Eatherly, Jr. and Claude Robert Eatherly, sisters, Aline Cobb, Mary Lee Eatherly, and Love Veazey.

Eatherly is survived by Allene his wife of 69  years, his daughter Aleece and husband Michael McBay of Groesbeck, Texas, son Joe Dan Eatherly of Forney, Texas, grandchildren Alison Teelock and husband Ranjeev, Christopher E. McBay, Justin D. Eatherly, and Joshua D. Eatherly, nephews Ray Eatherly and Dr. C. Robert Cloninger and wife Sherry, nieces Marlene Dalton and husband Bobby, Kay Thompson, Lynda Wheeler and husband Van, Julia Shelton, Joan Wilcox and husband Charles, Claudette Kent and husband Daryl,  Annette Kemp and husband Richard, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be one hour before the service. Services will be held at Scoggins Funeral Home Chapel in Van Alstyne, Monday at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jimmy Tarrant officiating. 

Interment will follow at Van Alstyne Cemetery with Joe Dan Eatherly, Justin D. Eatherly, Joshua D. Eatherly, Michael McBay, Christopher E. McBay, and Ranjeev Teelock serving as pallbearers. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Vestal Lay and Benny Edwards.
 
Services are under the direction of Scoggins Funeral Home & Crematory, 637 W. Van Alstyne Parkway, Van Alstyne. 903-482-5225