JOE ERNEST KARES, JR.
1944-2017
Joe Ernest Kares, Jr., a gentle man and gentleman passed away following a brief illness on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born on January 2, 1944, in Bristol, Tennessee, to Joe Ernest and Wilma Robinson Kares and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. Following graduation from Lamar University with a degree in accounting and receiving his certification as a CPA, Joe began his career with Texaco and moved on to work for the accounting firm of Coopers Lybrand. He started his own accounting firm in 1972 under the name of Griese & Kares and later the firm name changed to Kares & Wagner and then Kares & Cihlar. Joe retired in 2015 after 43 years of serving the oil and gas industry and enjoyed the many business associates and friends he acquired over the years. He was a man of integrity and a loyal friend.
Joe loved his family dearly and leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 49 years, Carolyn, and daughter, Amanda, and son-in-law Travis Koch, currently of Anchorage, Alaska. He loved being Pop to grandsons John and Andy. Joe is also survived by his sister, Helen Johnson of North Carolina, nephews Scott and Todd Hampton, and Carolyn’s large family which he considered his own. Joe loved the time spent with his family and cherished the times he could spoil them with his love and attention.
Joe, an avid golfer, was a long-time member of Riverbend Country Club and enjoyed his club and time playing other courses with his golf friends. He had a special group of golf buddies that he loved playing and traveling with and cherished their friendship over the years. Carolyn wishes to thank these special friends for making Joe always feel so special, even when, according to Joe, his golf game may not have always been the best.
Joe had a loving and generous heart, and he and Carolyn supported many charitable causes throughout the years. Per Joe’s request, there will be no formal service, and family and friends will gather to celebrate his life on Saturday, January 6, at Riverbend Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Arc of Katy, an organization providing programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, P. O. Box 6133, Katy, TX 77491.