Joseph Anthony Natale

Joseph Anthony Natale, 93, passed away Monday night, December 4, 2017, in Montgomery, Texas. Joe was born July 10, 1924, in Rochester, New York to Angelo and Mamie DeMarco Natale. He attended Jefferson High School and graduated in 1942. In February, 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served as an enlisted man until November, 1943, at which time he was appointed Aviation Cadet. He completed his Aviation Cadet training in May, 1944 and accepted an appointment as a Flight Officer, AC in the Air Corps. He attended pre-flight at Ellington Field and advanced bombardier training in Childress, Texas. It was while he was in pre-flight training at Ellington Field south of Houston that he met Dorothy Marie Smart. They married on July 5, 1944. They were happily married for over 60 years. Joe was assigned to the 736th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group, European Theater of Operations. He successfully completed 35 combat missions as bombardier of a B-24 Liberator. His missions were flown over Germany, Austria, Italy, and Czechoslovakia. He was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 battle stars. He was honorably discharged from active duty as First Lieutenant on June 5, 1945. He moved to Huntsville, Texas, in May of 1951 with his wife and two young sons Joe Jr. and Dick. Joe spent 26 years with National Life and Accident Insurance Company. He retired at the age of 55. During his retirement years he spent quality time with family and friends at the lake house. He enjoyed playing golf and was quite the gambler. He always made time in his weekly schedule to attend a poker game, bet on the horse races and make a pot of “Natale marinara sauce”. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Mamie Natale, brothers Ange, Mike, and Vito and his beloved wife, Dorothy Marie. He is survived by his brother, Richard Natale and sister, Isabel Cutaia, both of Rochester, New York. Joe is also survived by his son, Joe Jr., and wife, Judy, of Montgomery, Texas and son, Dick and daughter-in-law, Anita, both of Conroe. Joe was blessed with and survived by six grandchildren: Michael and wife Jennifer, Kyle and wife Tina, Brandon and wife Julia, Lindsey and husband Doug, Lauren and Whitney. In addition, he is survived by nine great-grandchildren: Tiffany, Mason, Colby, Trenton, Samantha, Rowan, Reece, Charlotte, and Eleanor. The family will be present to receive friends on Monday, December 11, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park Drive, Huntsville, Texas. The funeral service, conducted by Rev. Mark Woodward, a close family friend, will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2017, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park Drive, Huntsville, Texas, with interment immediately following at Brooke Cemetery, 510 FM 980, Huntsville, Texas. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmfh.com.

Joseph Anthony Natale

July 10, 1924 - December 4, 2017