Joseph Owen Massey

Lt. Col. Joseph O. Massey Jr. (United States Army, Retired) was born on 25 May, 1931, and left this world on 13 September, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Owen and Ruby Massey; his two brothers, Jack and Don Massey. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Massey of Pine Bluff; children, Michael O. Massey (Heidi) of Bettendorf, Iowa, Kim Massey of Pine Bluff, Ark.; Rebecca Massey Parks, of Columbia, Mo.; Becky Hampton (R.D.), of Pine Bluff, Ark.; Allison Melville Horne (Tracy) of Little Rock, Ark; 16 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. During his time here he lived his life in the service of his family and his country. He married three times, welcomed numerous children into his life from all his relationships and treated every single one as if they were his own. Raised in the Diaz/Newport area he graduated high school in 1948 and attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating in 1953. During his time at Ouachita he ran track (hurdles), was the center on the football team and played forward on the basketball team. He was also voted B.M.O.C. (Big Man on Campus) his senior year and was the Battalion Commander for Ouachita's ROTC unit that same year. Entering military service in 1953 he served in military units worldwide including three tours in Vietnam flying both helicopter and propeller driven aircraft. He also served in Korea and Germany and was influential in helping develop and integrate helicopter combat operations into Army doctrine. He retired from military service in 1974 after 21 years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1974 he began working for the Boys Training School then Brown and Root Construction, and finally Lowes, fully retiring in 1999. He was a master craftsman in woodworking and could build and rebuild anything made of wood, brick or stone. His attention to detail was phenomenal. He was an active church member at First Baptist Church and the only thing he prized more than building/woodworking and landscaping were his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks. He was such a fan that his home was and is full of recorded Razorback football and basketball games from as far back as the 1980s… a true HOG fan. He also passed that love of the Razorbacks on to his extended family. All can take some comfort in the fact that they knew a good man who showed kindness and compassion to all. No greater respect or admiration can be given to this man who adhered to a lifelong philosophy of believing in GOD, taking care of his family, taking care of people, and serving his country. May you rest in peace Joseph O. Massey Jr. – you've earned it....and in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years!! The funeral service will be Monday, September 19, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Brother Ken Thornton officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in Graceland Cemetery by Ralph Robinson & Son. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 6510 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71603; or to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate For online condolences, please visit RalphRobinsonandSon.com