Judge Joseph "Joe" Lyvers

The patriarch of the Lyvers family, Joseph Kenneth Lyvers, 86, of Beeville, Texas, passed away April 19, 2024.

Judge Lyvers was a well-known and beloved community member as well as a respected lawman having served graciously in many influential positions, but his proudest role was that of a family man.

Joe was born September 24, 1937, in Bardstown, Kentucky, to Joseph Vernie Lyvers and Mary Dorothy (Cissell) Lyvers. He attended St. Francis High School and joined the U.S. Navy while in high school. As a young sailor, he was based at NAS Chase Field on May 8, 1955. It was during this time that he met his true love, Flora “Lita” Garcia, and six months later on November 20, 1955, the couple married at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and of the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1958, he worked at Schulz & Wroten Pharmacy and later moved back to Kentucky to work in the distillery in Bardstown. In December 1959, he returned to Beeville and was employed with Hovey’s Petroleum Service Station. In February 1960, he worked as a police dispatcher and went on to earn the rank of sergeant with the Beeville Police Department in October 1965. He became lieutenant in 1973 after earning an associate degree from Bee County College.

Lyvers retired from the police department as Chief Detective in August 1998 having served in law enforcement for 38 years, including acting chief of police for several years. It was at that time that he ran for the justice of the peace position in the south end of Bee County and served for 18+ years retiring in April 2017. He also served with the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department for numerous years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Lyvers; infant son, Joseph Keith Lyvers; and son-in-law, Walter Kroft.

Left behind to cherish fond memories include his loving wife of 68 years, Flora “Lita” Lyvers of Beeville; three daughters, Linda K. Kroft, Julie A. (Bobby) Butler and Cindy Ann (Martin) Engelsen; two sons, James Heath Lyvers and Joseph Mark Lyvers; five sisters, Nancy (Bill) Lyon, Christina (Simon) Kipper, Verna Mae (Ruben) Proctor, Bernadine Fenwick and Priscilla Ice; five brothers, Ronald (Diana) Lyvers, Gary Lyvers, Doug (Helen) Lyvers, Ricky Lyvers and Freddy (Vicky) Lyvers; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 26, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Beeville with a Rosary to be recited at 7 o’clock that evening.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Pete Elizardo officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be members of the Beeville Police Department, Bee County Sheriff’s Department and the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department.

An inurnment ceremony will be held at a later date at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas.