Joseph M. Mansfield, 82, of Nederland, Texas went to be with the Lord surrounded by family on November 30. He was born in Winona, Mississippi, September 12, 1936, along with his twin brother Clifton, to Mary E. Tyler Mansfield and Joseph Mansfield. He graduated from Winona High School and continued his education by receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Mississippi College and his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Florida.
It was at Mississippi College he met the love of his life, Pat. They were married September 5, 1959, and spent the next 59 years together side by side serving the Lord. They had three children, Jeffrey Mansfield, Marji Gausepohl, and Carole Jones. He worked for Cities Service (now Citgo) in Louisiana and New Jersey. He began his career at Texaco Research and Development of Port Arthur in 1968. He retired in 1994.
Joe was a member of First Baptist Church of Nederland for 50 years where he served as a Deacon and taught Bible classes. He was also an active fisherman and hunter who enjoyed selling knives, attending gun shows and reloading his own ammunition. He loved traveling, gardening, and cooking. He perfected his version of pecan pies, date nut loaf, and gumbo, which he shared with many.
Joe loved spending time with his three children, 12 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Pat Mansfield; brother, Cliff Mansfield and wife, Cheryl; son, Jeffrey Mansfield and wife, Kathleen and their children, Kathryn Mansfield, Joseph Mansfield, Kaitlin Mansfield Weldon and husband, Blake, Madeline Mansfield and Grace Mansfield; daughter, Marji Gausepohl and husband, Jason and children, Raymond Trahan III, Joseph Marc Trahan and wife, Lindsey, Leah Alsibaa and husband, Hadi, and Josiah Gausepohl; and daughter, Carole Jones and husband, Troy and their children, Tyler Jones, Gabby Jones, and Andrew Jones. His great-grandchildren include Jack Mansfield, Liam Trahan, Sterling Trahan, Zainab Alsibaa, and Quade Trahan.
A gathering of family and friends will be held Monday, December 3 from 5 - 8 pm at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 4 at 2 pm at Melancon's Funeral Home with burial to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.