Joe Edd Tatum

Joe Edd Tatum, age 73 of Gatesville, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 15, 2023 at Scott’s Funeral Home with Pastor Bruce Cox officiating.  The family will receive visitors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 14^th at the funeral home.

Joe Edd was born December 21, 1949 to the late Ed and Frances Marshall Tatum in Gatesville.  He grew up and attended school in Gatesville.  Once out of school, he began driving a truck, traveling all over the western United States and Canada.  He then went to work for the Boyd Ranch in Purmela as their Ranch Manager.  In 1983, He married Cynthia Russell and the two made their home in Gatesville.  Joe Edd and Cynthia purchased and managed J & C Yellow Cab company for several years before he went back to driving a truck.  Joe Edd was an avid fisherman and spent most of his time on the banks of the Leon River, where he and his family and friends would often camp.  He also enjoyed taking care of his chickens and having his own garden. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Georgia Jean Tatum Haedt; and brother, Tommy Tatum.

Joe Edd is survived by his wife, Cynthia; children, Michael Jackson and wife, Julie; Philip Jackson and wife, Maya; Laurel Jackson; Joshua Tatum; and Rusty Tatum and wife, Mary; brothers, George Tatum, Ted Tatum, and Billy Tatum; sisters, Susie Davidson, and Margaret Barton; fourteen grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.   

In lieu of flowers, Joe Edd’s family requests memorials be made to Live Oak Baptist Church, 113 FM 107, Gatesville, TX 76528, or to Mound Cowboy Church, P.O. Box 103, Mound, TX 76558.