Joseph Alan Stivers

Joseph Alan Stivers, of Huntsville, passed away on Friday, October 10 at the age of 60. Joe was born on January 20, 1948 to Frank and Elizabeth Stivers. Joe grew up in Houston, spending his teenage years in Hamburg, Germany, Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. He attended Wharton Junior College and Sam Houston State University, studying journalism. Joe began his career in the food and beverage industry with Holiday Inn. His interests led him to tap into his writing skills to create the "Huntsville After Dark" column in the Huntsville Item, featuring local restaurants and clubs. Joe worked for Kansas City Life Insurance Company before entering the real estate business, which would become his lifelong career. He worked with several real estate brokers, including Bob Deniger and Joe Boaz, before establishing Joe Stivers and Associates. He later purchased and served as the Principal Broker of Elkins Lake Real Estate, LLC. Joe was a member of the Huntsville Board of Realtors. Community involvement was also very important to Joe. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, being elected President in 1998; graduated in the first class of the Huntsville Leadership Institute. He served as the chairman of the Annual Lobster Fiesta for many years. As a Rotarian, Joe was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Engaged in local, state, and national politics, he was elected the Republican Party Chairman for Walker County in 1980 and served until the early nineties, attending several state and national Republican conventions. In 1997, Governor George W. Bush, appointed him to the Texas Commission for Law Enforcement Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Governor Rick Perry reappointed Joe to serve on the Commission until his term expired in 2007. Joe enjoyed researching Stivers geneology, studying Texas history, particularly the Alamo and Sam Houston. His hero was John Wayne. His favorite pastime was spending time at the beach with family and friends. Joe is survived by Maria Teresa (Terry) Torres Stivers, his wife of 32 years, his son, Alexander Torres Stivers, of Austin, and Sonya Kay Holder, daughter, and her husband Jerry of San Antonio; grandchildren Justin, Madeleine and Drew Holder. He is also survived by Eileen Callaway, sister, of Boulder, CO; nephew Christopher Scott Callaway and his wife Christina of Broomfield, CO, and their son, Quinn Dawson Callaway; niece Marisa Callaway and her husband Matt Buckner of Boulder, CO. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Laurette Stivers. A visitation service will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with a 'Time of Remembrance' gathering starting at 7:00. A Memorial service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Huntsville on Wednesday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Texas Peace Officers' Memorial, c/o TCLEOSE, 6330 US Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723 Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Joseph Alan Stivers

January 20, 1948 - October 15, 2008