Funeral services for Elmer Joe Pedigo, 92, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Central Baptist Church in Livingston, Texas with Pastor Mike Meadows officiating. Interment will follow in the Pedigo Cemetery in Tyler County, Texas. Visitation will be held Friday, September 12, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Central Baptist Church in Livingston, Texas.

Elmer Joe Pedigo, 92, former mayor and councilman of Livingston passed away on September 10, 2014 with family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Abram and Ella Tucker Pedigo, his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Gloria Ager Pedigo, his wife of 11 years, Rogene Griffey Pedigo, daughter, Cherie Pedigo Evans, and granddaughter, Dallas Michelle Pedigo. Joe is survived by his sisters, Virginia Turner and Maurine Rienstra; daughter, Judy Pedigo Shipp and son-in-law, Bill Shipp; son, Joe Ernest "Joey" Pedigo and daughter-in-law, Beverly Farris; grandchildren, Andy and Allison Evans, Casey Evans Davis and Gary Davis, Jason and Kathryn Pedigo, Jeremy Pedigo, Joseph and Mary Kate Pedigo, Cari Shipp Kramer and Josh Kramer, Tyler Shipp, Jessica Ruffer, Gage Fowlkes, Corky and Deana Evans, Wade and Sherrie Evans, Keith and Laura Evans; great grandchildren, Jack Pedigo, Samuel Pedigo, Henry Pedigo, Caleb Evans, Colby Evans, and Kirbie Evans; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was a true son of rural East Texas. He was born on August 26, 1922 in a small house in Doucette, Texas. He was raised in Woodville but spent most of his youth in Pedigo, Texas at his grandfather's, Jack Pedigo's, homestead. His stories of his childhood had no order and no end, but they were always of his beloved Pedi Papa and Pedi Mama's home.

Joe graduated from Woodville's Kirby High School in 1939, and he was a member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '43 where he served in the Corps of Cadets. He served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy until the end of World War II until which time he was shipped to Portland, Oregon to await orders. Upon arriving to Portland, he met his future wife, Gloria Ager.

Joe taught in the Woodville School District from 1947-1948, and then he and his father co-owned a café-bus station in Livingston from 1949 until 1953. In 1953, Joe and Gloria began Pedigo Furniture, and the store became a family affair that continues to operate with second and third generation families.

Joe was known affectionately by all the Polk County community and beyond as "Papa Joe". His life was the church, the community, his family, and "the people". He accepted Christ at the age of 13 at a revival in Woodville, and has been a member of Central Baptist Church since 1949. Joe also served as a Livingston city councilman from 1962-1968, and as Mayor of Livingston form 1968-1985. He was honored for his public service in 1991 when the city of Livingston also founded Joe Pedigo Park in Livingston. Joe also served on numerous civic organizations and boards, including the Livingston Rotary Club, the American Red Cross, the First National Bank Board of Directors, the Selective Services Board, and the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Texas Forestry Service, which showed his devotion to the timber industry and the outdoors, in general.

In his lifetime, he traveled extensively with family and friends to places including the Pyrimids of Egypt, the Red Square in Moscow and the Great Wall of China. Joe lived during the Great Depression and was part of the last generation that fought in World War II. He never asked for anything except the opportunity to greet people, share their stories, and assume they were one of God's children. His last words before he passed to his beloved Lord and Savior was "Stand up, Stand up for Jesus". Joe lived what he believed and he lived in a way that those who did not know God would know Him because of him. He will forever be in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Central Baptist Church of Livingston (503 N. East Ave., Livingston, Texas 77351), Polk County Relay for Life (3785 US Hwy 190 W., Livingston, Texas 77351), or Michael Gott International Evangelistic Association (P.O. Box 2636, Keller, Texas 7244-2636).

Pallbearers: Jason Pedigo, Jeremy Pedigo, Joseph Pedigo, Andy Evans, Casey Evans Davis, Cari Shipp Kramer, Tyler Shipp, Greg Turner, Paul Turner, Lisa Radike, Debbie Van Etten, Matthew Rienstra, Jay Rienstra, Mike Ager, Jack Pedigo, Samuel Pedigo, Henry Pedigo, Caleb Evans, Colby Evans, Kirbie Evans.

Honorary Pallbearers: Current and former deacons of Central Baptist Church, the Joy Sunday School Class of Central Baptist Church, Employees of Pedigo Furniture, current and former City of Livingston officials-including mayors, city councilmen and councilwomen, city secretaries, and city managers, First National Bank Board of Directors and employees, Sidney Smith, Lois Lively-Lichte, Betty Peebles, Jay Walrath, Rudy Williams, Harold Barfield.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .