Joel Mack Wyatt

Funeral Services at Hart-Wyatt Funeral Home Chapel, Walters, OK, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 pm with burial in the Temple Cemetery, Temple, OK. Viewing at Hart-Wyatt in Temple on Sunday from 2-8pm and on Monday from 9am to 8pm.

Joel Mack Wyatt was born to Edmond Mac and Lily Irene (McCluskey) Wyatt on December 11, 1936 in Idabel, OK and departed this life at his home in Temple, OK, surrounded by his family, on September 5, 2025 at the age of 88 years, 8 months and 25 days.

Joel grew up in the Idabel area until moving to North Dallas at age 12. He graduated from North Dallas High School in 1954 and then attended college before playing semi-pro football in the late 50’s and early 60’s. He played quarterback for the Richardson Rockets under the guidance of head coach Tom Landry, staying with the team until they began transitioning to the NFL becoming the Dallas Cowboys. He soon joined the Texas National Guard, playing high level softball for The Guard.

While still in Dallas Joel worked 19 years as a lineman for Dallas Power and Light. He worked evenings as a security guard during that time. He then moved to the family farm in Madill and worked as a deputy for the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department for several years. Already with two kids from his previous marriage and soon to gain two sons, Joel married Carolyn Sue (Norton) Roberts on March 8, 1973 in Madill, and to this union 2 daughters were born.

The family lived in Madill until moving to Temple, OK in 1978. Joel worked at PPG for 2 years before becoming the Undersheriff for Cotton County Sheriff Mike Fletcher. They completed 2 terms together ending a 15-year run in Law Enforcement for Joel. He then worked as a heavy equipment operator for Cotton County District 2, retiring in 2009. For many years he and his family were also in the hay hauling business.

Joel was known throughout his adult life for his love of playing softball and continued being very competitive to around age 70. He loved watching football and attending his kids’ and grandkids’ sports events. He was an avid hunter of racoon, deer, coyote and hogs, always raising and training appropriate breeds of dogs for their type of hunt. Joel was a Christian and a member of First Baptist Church in Temple. He was a good family man, a loving husband, father and papa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Seth McDowell; and his sister, Nova Dean Coulter. 

Survivors include his wife, Sue Wyatt of the home; 6 kids, Joel Wyatt and Charlene of Dallas, TX, Donna Moore of Walters, Charles Holybee and Casey of Medicine Park, OK, David Roberts and Amy of Walters, Michelle Kohout and Greg of Walters, and Donna Sue Cook of Temple; 17 grandchildren, Amanda, Joel III, Christopher, Cecilee, T.J., Cassadie, Caylie, Kari, Katy, Kayla, Dillon, Shelby, Nathan, Ashley, Samantha, Richard and Carolyn; 16 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.

Sue wishes to acknowledge Donna Sue, Ashley, Donna Marie, David, and Michelle for the direct care of Daddy and support for me in his last few months. They made a terrible situation bearable.