A simple carved rock memorial in a beautifully landscaped garden area along the exterior of the Grace United Mathodist Church sanctuary honors Joe E. Todd.
The stone reads as follows:
In Loving Memory
JOE E. TODD
Who died here while helping beautify his beloved church
1997"
As Blasterz were looking up details on this man and his life, we found something pretty interesting. From the Korean War Casualties website, a record of another Joe E. Todd, also from Dallas, who was wounded in the Korean War. Maybe the waymarked citizen Joe E. Todd was named for this soldier? Or maybe he IS this soldier?: (
visit link)
" (
visit link)
Joe E. Todd Casualty file
About This Data Record
Oct 17, 2014 - This military casualty record for Private E-2 Todd, first name Joe E is one of 109,898 found in our historical archive for U.S. servicemen who were injured, KIA or MIA, killed or missing in action during the Korean Conflict. Our archived military lists include officers as well as enlisted men, reservists, etc. Sources of our data are government and public collections and files. We thank all who have honorably served for their country and the greater good towards a more peaceful and equitable world. Especially we honor those who served beyond reasonable or expected measures.
Personnel File Core Info:
Name: Joe E Todd
Service Number : RA18321213
Home State: Texas
Home County: Dallas
Component: USA Regular Army
Troop Number: Infantry Division - 7th
Troop Element: In Div Inf Regt
Unit: 0031
Specialty: Light Weapons Infantryman
Rank: Private E-2
Place Casualty: North Korea Sector
Date Casualty: 11/29/1950
Casualty Type: Returned to Duty FECOM (Far East Command)
Details: Seriously Wounded in Action by Missile, Returned to Duty FECOM
Disposition Date: 03/06/1951
Branch: Infantry"
From Rootsweb: (
visit link)
Name: Joe Eldon Todd
Date of death: 3 May 2997
Place of Death: Dallas, Dallas Co. TX
From Find-A-Grave we discover that the waymarked Joe E. Todd is buried at Grove Memorial Park in Dallas: (
visit link)
"Birth: Jul. 7, 1942
Death: May 3, 1997
Burial: Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County Texas, USA
Plot: Garden of Lawnview"
So now we know that the Joe E. Todd who was injured in the Korean war cannot be the waymarked Joe E(ldon). Todd, who was 8 years old at the time of that war. BUT we also learn that he ALSO served in the Army, strengthening our belief that the Joe Todd that served in Korea and the Joe Todd who is waymarked are related somehow -- (
visit link)
"Joe Eldon Todd Dallas, Texas
Grove Hill Memorial Park
3920 Samuell Blvd
Dallas, TX 75228
Birth: Jul 7 1942
Death: May 3 1997
Age: 54
Branch: US ARMY"
A search of the obituary archives of the Dallas Morning News turned up no documents.