Joe Gidden

Rosary will be 7:00P.M. Thursday, November 18 at Brooks Chapel. Services will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, November 19 at St. AnnA?A??TMs Catholic Church with Rev. Daniel Dreher, Director and Chaplain of Campus Ministries, officiating. Joe Howard Gidden was born February 20, 1924 in Tulia, Texas to William and Rebecca Gidden. He married Irene Acker on September 17, 1946 in Amarillo. She preceded him in death in 2001. Joe served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1945. For 40 years he was employed with Southwestern Public Service Company, he was the District Manager in Pampa at retirement. Joe was a member of many organizations. He was a member of the Rotary Club and served as President for a few years, a producer of TEXAS with the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation, where he served 40 years as a board member. He was one of the original appointed Board of Directors for Region 16, and he also served as Chairman for the Education Service Center in Amarillo for 27 years. He was on the Dreamland Cemetery Board from 1961 to 1978, the BSA Scout Council Board for 15 years, a Scout Explorer Post Advisor for 9 years, a Randall County Precinct 5 Chairman for 6 years, a Randall County Chairman for 1 year, the West Texas State College Long Range Planning Committee for several years, and aWest Texas Chamber of Commerce Board Member for 16 years. Joe was also a member of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature, which was created by the Texas Legislature in 1986 to represent senior citizens. He was elected as one of the two Representatives from the immediate Amarillo region, and served four two year terms with this Legislature. Joe was the Canyon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1962. He was also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, James R. Gidden, William D. Gidden, and George H. Gidden; and a sister, Mary F. Donnell. Survivors include his two sons, Dr. Howard E. Gidden, of Baton Rouge, LA, and David W. Gidden, of Amarillo; daughter, Maureen E. Hood, of Amarillo; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. The family suggests memorials to St. Ann"s Catholic Church, PO Box 59, Canyon, TX 79015, or to a favorite charity.