Obituaries

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021, at 2:00 PM for Cletus Joseph “Joe” Hakert, Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sherman, Texas. Father Martin Castaneda will celebrate the mass and Deacon Jim Adlof will assist. After the funeral a reception will be held at St. Anne’s Place across from St. Mary’s.

Joe passed from this life on May 5 at Medical City in Dallas. He will be interred at Waco Memorial Park in Waco on Tuesday, May 11, at 2:00 PM. Father Fernando Saenz will officiate at the committal service. Following the graveside service there will be a reception at St. Louis Catholic Church in Waco.

Joe was born on February 9, 1948 in Dallas, Texas, to Cletus and Dorothy Hakert. He was raised in Dallas and attended Dallas Schools, graduating from Bryan Adams High School in 1966. He then attended the University of Texas at Arlington, completing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Joe moved back to Dallas and began his career with Texas Instruments, where he retired after 21 years in 1999 and moved to Sherman. He met the love of his life, Judith Carter, in 1980 and they married in 1982. Joe and Judith were very active in their retirement. They bought an old Greek Revival mansion, aka “The Taj Mahal,” and spent 16 years restoring it to its former glory and beyond. Upon being told that parts of the house were unrepairable, Joe ignored this advice; he instead used his determination and intelligence to overcome any obstacle and succeed in restoring its architectural elegance.

Joe and Judith were devout members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 20 years. Joe loved his church, his faith, and his God. A loving husband, he always put his wife first. They loved to spend time at the lake and just enjoy each other’s company. Joe will be missed by all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his wife of 38 years, Judith Hakert of Sherman; three sisters: Threse Chamblee and husband Mike of Nashville, Indiana; Mary Barber and husband Fred of Garland, Texas; and Dr. Amy Hakert of Southlake, Texas; two brothers: Michael Hakert of San Antonio and Drs. James Hakert and wife Jayne of Dallas; sister-in-law Joyce Fielding of Ft. Worth; and many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Johnny Hakert.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com.