Joseph Charles Bures of Millington, Tennessee passed away on March 3, 2026. He was born December 13, 1927 to James and Hattie Parker Bures in DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. His father was a farmer, and his mother a homemaker. The youngest of eight children, Joe received his early education in a one-room schoolhouse with several of his siblings. He went on to graduate high school at age 16, valedictorian of his class.
Following high school, Joe moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas where he lived with his brother Emil (Sam) while working two jobs. He was a gas station attendant by day, and a telephone lineman by night. War was raging in Europe and the Pacific. On his 17th birthday his parents signed the necessary papers, and he enlisted in the United States Navy. Joe's 25-year Naval career spanned the end of WWII, the Korean War, and the war in Vietnam. His duty stations were numerous, varied, and widely scattered - from patrol squadrons in Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan to an aircraft carrier that took him around the world, to shore duties in California, Washington, Tennessee, and elsewhere. Most notably, Joe was a "Mustang". He rose through the ranks from enlisted to commissioned officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1969. After retiring from the Navy, Joe started a second, shorter career at Leader Federal Savings and Loan in Memphis, Tennessee where he managed facilities maintenance, switchboard operators, and the janitorial staff. Joe's hobbies included fishing, woodworking, camping, raising a vegetable garden, and teaching himself to play multiple stringed instruments. He loved music, especially Bluegrass.
Joe will be remembered by all who knew him for his quick wit and amusing anecdotes - usually appropriate, sometimes not. He loved animals and was a regular supporter of local animal rescue groups. He loved to share the bounty of his garden and his latest catch of fish with his extended family. His "corn eatin' and fish fry" gatherings are treasured memories. Joe was preceded in death by his parents James and Hattie Bures, his siblings James Edwin Bures, Robert Lee Bures, Victor Alvin Bures, Walter M. Bures, Barbara Bures, Emil Parker Bures, and Grover Maxwell Bures, and his son, Daniel Joseph Bures. He is survived by his wife Peggy Bohon Bures, his son Michael Bures (Janet), his daughter Jenny Bures Grubbs (Barry), grandchildren Kelly Bowers (Jennifer), Kyle Bowers (Jill), Kim Grubb, Meghan Ferrell (Timothy), Keith Cole, Hillary Garret (Damon), 14 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved their "Uncle Joe".