Joseph T. Scales

Farmington
Joseph T. Scales
April 8, 1918 - Aug. 23, 2015
Joseph T. Scales, 97, of Farmington, was born on April 8, 1918, north of Taiban, N.M., to William Henry Scales and Nannie Estelle Boyles Scales and was called home to be with our Lord on Aug. 23, 2015. Joseph is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Louree Craig Scales; his parents; brothers, Luther, Thomas, Warren, Gene, Charles and George; and sisters, Ruth, Anna and great-grandson, Zakkerey. Joe is survived by his three children: daughter, Louree Josephine Towell (Leon) Douglas, Wyo.; son, Joseph Cecil Scales (Ouida) Farmington; daughter, Lenora Willadene Scales Farmington; grandchildren, Sheila E. McQuade (Michael) Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mari J. Arends (Vernell) Douglas, Shari E. Schmidt (Erich) Glendayle, Ariz.; Dorothy E. May (Terry) Douglas; Christopher C. Scales (Jennifer) Pampa, Texas; Rick E. Hodges (Illa) Aztec, Russell E. Hodges (Jessica) La Plata; Martha N. Roberts (Clifford) Farmington; 25 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren.
Dad received his draft notice by mail on Dec. 7, 1941, and was inducted into the U.S. Army and was sent to basic training in Ft. Bliss, Texas on Jan. 7, 1942. He was subsequently was assigned to Camp Van Doren, Miss. Joe and Louree were married on Nov. 2, 1942. Time was short, and he left for World War II to defend his family and the country he had left behind. Dad served in the 7th Army 63rd Division 862nd Field Artillery, headquarters battery. The 7th Army was made up of the 36th, 43rd and 63rd Divisions and the French 1st Division. While serving, his declarations and citations were American Theater, Good Conduct Medal, and European/African-Middle Eastern Victory Medal. His unit served in southeastern France into Germany by way of the Saar River, the Siegfried line and the Rhine River. The headquarters battery was notified by two escaped prisoners from Dachau Concentration Camp that the Germans were killing prisoners. The headquarters battery liberated Dachau on April 27, 1945. Dad was first cook and simply had spam, the Army doctors told the cooks not to feed the Dachau prisoners solid food as they were too emaciated to digest solid food. The next day, the 45th Division followed the 63rd into Dachau and was better equipped with a liquid diet for the prisoners.
Returning home when the war ended, dad farmed, was a carpenter by trade as a homebuilder, and began his career with The White's Auto Stores in Clovis. He later managed The White's Auto Store on San Juan Blvd. and retired from White's Auto after a 27 year career. After retiring, dad enjoyed woodworking, spending time with grandkids and family, as well as traveling to visit extended family. He enjoyed traveling to churches in San Juan County delivering Gideon Bibles for Gideon International in which he was an active member for over 30 years.
Pallbearers are nephew Robert E. Bledsoe, Grandson Clifford E. Roberts, great-grandsons, Joshua McQuade, Brandon Arends, Connor Schmidt and Jordan Schmidt. Honorary Pallbearers are Grandsons Michael McQuade, Com. Erich Schmidt, USN Ret., Vern Arends, Terry May, Rick Hodges, Russell Hodges, Chaplin Christopher Scales, and great-grandsons, Jacob May, and Griffin May.
Joe's family would like to extend their gratitude to Cedar Ridge Inn nurses and staff and The Bridge of Farmington Staff. The family would like to extend the deepest gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Dan Schaefer, Dr. and Mrs. Allen McCulloch, Dr. Manish Pandya and Dr. Charles Wilkins for their many years of compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials/Donations may be made In Joseph Scales memory to Gideon International P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214-0800 or www.gideon.org http://www.gideon.org/. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington with Pastor Joe O'Neal officiating graveside services to follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, 1606 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington. Full military honors provided by VFW Post #2182.
Joseph's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.