2019 Service Award - Joe Folk
Throughout his life, Joe Folk has demonstrated leadership abilities vital in guiding a community to prosper and grow. His numerous contributions to the betterment of society are wide ranging.
Joe served in the United States Army and the Inactive Army Reserves. After working his way through college, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agriculture, he devoted 33 years to the field of education in Sheperd and Kirbyville ISDs, serving as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He later went on to become a tax assessor/collector, probation officer, sheriff and ultimately, Jasper County Judge – a role he held for 12 years.
Named the Ralph W. Steen Memorial East Texan of the Year, Joe’s unwavering dedication to his community is evident in the many civic duty “hats” he has worn. In addition to serving as president of the Deep East Texas Regional Housing Authority Board of Directors, his Jasper County committee assignments included grants application review, scholarship review, solid waste advisory, economic development and 9-1-1 advisory.
Founded and organized by Joe in 1967, the Kirbyville High School Veteran’s Day program is a long-standing community tradition still active today. His patriotic spirit also played a key role in building a Veteran’s Memorial monument featuring the names of local fallen heroes.
Joe’s history also includes long-term commitments to numerous organizations of which he has held leadership roles including the Boy Scouts of America, Historical Society, Parent-Teacher Association, Chamber of Commerce, Little League, Lions Club, Junior Livestock Show and American Legion Post #456. Joe and his wife Sue are also Life Members of the SHSU Alumni Association.
To honor his outstanding, invaluable service to others, former congressional representative Charlie Wilson presented Joe with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.
Based on his tremendous work during and after Hurricane Rita, Joe was honored with an Excellence in Going the Extra Mile Award by County Progress Magazine. During Rita, he spent numerous nights away from home at the Jasper County Emergency Operations Center coordinating distribution of supplies and law enforcement operations. For several years after the storm, Joe worked diligently with FEMA and other government agencies to secure funding for Jasper County’s recovery.
With a mission in life to serve and help others, many more honors and awards are engraved with Joe’s name to recognize his loyalty to civic duty, patriotism and solid leadership ability.