Joe Amos Amyx, 72, of Denton, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at his home. Joe was born August 9, 1942 in Decatur to the late Fred and Marvel (Balthrop) Amyx of Sanger. Joe worked on his parent's dairy early mornings and evenings while attending school in Sanger. He met his wife while she was attending TWU and they married on June 30, 1962, at her parent's home in Denison. Joe owned Amyx Excavation which he operated until suffering a stroke in 1991. Joe began cooking competitively in 1977 at the North Texas State Fair where he was known for his barbeque and pinto beans. He was renowned for his Jackalope BBQ pit, Texas Jack, and Joe could often be found sitting outside in his yard, under the Oak trees, by his pit, surrounded by friends and neighbors. Joe survived West Nile in 2012, but never fully recovered. He succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer.

Survivors include his wife, Iris Elaine (Yeargan) Amyx, of Denton; daughter Lora Amyx-Gorman and husband Calvin Gorman of Denton; son Joe William Amyx and wife Monica (Hurtado) of Denton; grand-children Aliya and Aiden Amyx; brothers Ralph Amyx and wife Lela (Springer) of Sanger and Dickie Amyx and wife Melinda (LeGear) of Bolivar; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as friends and neighbors who are like family. Joe was preceded in death by his half-sisters Norma (Amyx) Enlow Harris of Krum and Billie (Amyx) Harris Barry of Krum.

Visitation will be at DeBerry Funeral Home, 2025 W. University, Denton, TX, on Friday, January 16, from 6pm to 8pm (please dress comfortably). No funeral services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.