Joseph Wallace Bardwell, 54, or Jody to his family and friends, was taken home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2015. Jody was born Dec. 29, 1960 to Wallace and Edna Bardwell in Long Beach, California. Jody was the 5th child out of 7 children. He was the Baby Brother of our family. He will be truly missed to his family and friends.
Jody attended Brownwood schools since the family moved to Brownwood in 1972 and graduated from Brownwood Senior High in 1980. After high school Jody worked for Harper’s Grocery Store and for David Harper at Watering Hole #3. Joe and David Harper embraced Jody as one of their own. Jody enjoyed being a butcher-in-training under Joe Harper’s guidance. Jody was looking forward to be a professional butcher.
Jody loved his family dearly. In life Jody enjoyed hunting, fishing, chasing women and riding his motorcycle. Jody was prankster and enjoyed teasing his family and friends. Jody’s life changed forever and he would endure a hard life. He struggled for 34 years, all due to a motorcycle wreck.
Jody is survived by his loving parents, Edna and Charles Banks of Brownwood, brothers Walter Fred Bardwell, Tommy Joe Bardwell both of Lake Brownwood, Glenn Bardwell of Blytheville, Ark., sisters Cheryl Franks and husband Rex of Brownwood, Dianne Graham and husband Charlie of Gardendale, TX, Jeannette Buris and husband Tim of Brownwood, Jackie Hicks and husband Ricky of Granbury, TX, Darla Chriswell and husband Chris of Joshua, TX, step sibling Nelda Schwegman of Huntsville, TX, Andrea Thompson and husband Mike of Burleson, TX, Melissa Carroll and husband Richard of Azle, TX, and Chuck Banks and wife Brandy of Cleburne, TX, and many aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews, great niece and nephews.
Jody was preceded in death by his father Herman Wallace Bardwell, Brothers Robert Earl Bardwell and Randy Dale Bardwell, grandparents, Leona Harper, Hershel Fred Weatherford, William G. Bardwell Sr., Effie Carlisle and a nephew Cory Buris. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM in the Heartland Funeral Chapel Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8 PM at the funeral home.