Jack W. Joe Jr.; Ventura Mason, Retired Engineer

Jack W. Joe Jr., a 67-year county resident who worked as an engineer at Point Mugu before it was commissioned as a naval base, died Monday following a brief illness. He was 73.

Joe was born Aug. 28, 1924, in Bartlesville, Okla. When he was 6, he moved with his family to Ventura. Joe served as a flight engineer in the Air Force during World War II and took part in the Berlin Airlift. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. He worked at Point Mugu Pacific Missile Test Center for 37 years, retiring in 1979.

He was a Mason and belonged to San Buenaventura Lodge No. 214 since 1953.

“Our family life revolved around the Masons,” said his daughter, Lisa Joe of Ventura. “It was an interesting life--we met so many people as a result of it.”

Joe was a past master of the lodge, grand marshal for the Grand Lodge of California and became grand high priest of the Royal Arch Masonry in California. He was a 32nd-degree Mason, a member of Valley of Ventura Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Scotland, Knight Masons of Ireland, Order of the Golden Poppy, Order of the High Priesthood and Acacia Club.

He was a serious man with high standards, his daughter said.

“Some people thought he was a tough guy,” she said. “He expected perfection, but he always gave it himself.”

Joe was also a member and past president of the Reserve Officers Assn., and served as area representative for Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife, Angela; son Mark Joe of Santa Paula; daughters Sara Millikan of Fillmore and Nina Joe of Tulsa, Okla.; brother Robert Joe of Ventura, and two grandchildren.

Masonic services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura, which is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Royal Arch Research Assn., P.O. Box 586013, Oceanside 92058.

Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.