Merlin Joseph Gaspard “Joe” Obituary
Merlin Joseph Gaspard “Joe”, of Victoria, Texas, entered eternal rest April 10, 2025. He was born July 29, 1951 in Tylertown, MS to the late Elvis Waylen Bridges and Pearl Lavonne Bridges/Johnson.
Family and friends will gather for visitation on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM with a Funeral Service at 1:00 PM at Grace Funeral Home, 2401 Houston Hwy., in Victoria, Texas. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Honoring Joe as pallbearers will be Grant Gaspard, Jonathan Gaspard, Jason Gaspard, Caleb Gaspard, Chad Bridges and Michael Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Gaspard, Ashton Gaspard, Lemme Lamar Cooksey, Rory Keith Bridges, and Waylen Jeffery Bridges.
Joe proudly served his country in the Army and in Vietnam. He was also an operator at Union Carbide for 12 years and also worked at Auto Zone as a commercial delivery driver. Joe was a hard working Christian man that was loved by everyone he met. He was a loving, caring, supportive father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. He was a huge fan of golf, football, basketball, baseball and NASCAR. He loved to bowl, fish and he was an excellent pool player that was hard to beat. He was a rewarded track star in high school and he held the record for the over and under in the United States Army for many years.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Elvis Waylen Bridges and Pearl Lavonne Bridges/Johnson.
Leaving to cherish his memory are his sons, Grant Gaspard, Jonathan Gaspard (Hillary Cisneros), Jason Gaspard (Sheena Frederick), and 6 grandchildren; siblings, Lemme Lamar Cooksey, Rory Keith Bridges, Waylen Jeffery Bridges, Chad Allen Bridges, Diana Lynn Dodds; along with numerous other family members and friends.
Thoughts and memories may be shared online at www.gracefuneralhome.net. Arrangements and services are under the personal care of Grace Funeral Homes and Cemeteries.
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| Date: | 4/16/2025 | | Time: | 12:00 PM | | Location: | Grace Funeral Home, Victoria, TX |
| Date: | 4/16/2025 | | Time: | 1:00 PM | | Location: | Grace Funeral Home, Victoria, TX |
| Date: | 4/16/2025 | | Time: | 1:30 PM | | Location: | Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria, TX |
Merlin Joseph Gaspard “Joe” passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025. For additional information, please view the complete Merlin Joseph Gaspard “Joe” obituary at the Victoria Advocate newspaper obituaries: obits.victoriaadvocate.com  To order flowers & plants, call (361) 575-2307 |
We specialize in meeting your floral needs during this difficult time. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you in selecting a beautiful remembrance for Merlin Joseph Gaspard “Joe”. There are many choices of floral and plant arrangements, in different price ranges, that will be tasteful and appropriate in expressing your condolences. |
Express your love and sympathy with a final tribute that will console the family and friends at the Visitation or Service. |
It is always appropriate, and often times recommended, sending flowers or plants to the family after the funeral services are over. During this period, phone calls and words of comfort taper off. Then, the heartfelt pain of a death in the family is really experienced for the first time. The arrival of a beautiful bouquet or living plant can be so uplifting during this stage of grief and loneliness. Realizing that others still care and remember even weeks after the services can be great comfort to those in mourning. |
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