Joe Pyland lived a very good life. He was married for 52 years to a girl he met on a blind date, had two children who "stayed out of the ditches" and became successful adults, and was blessed with two grandsons. He had a job he loved selling potato chips for Frito-Lay, not only in the U.S. but globally as well. Business travels put Joe on a first name basis with the American Airlines staff at DFW and Heathrow airports. He loved to play golf and was well known for his putting skills. Joe was a country squire who enjoyed his tractor time as well as fence-leaning time watching the mares and foals graze in the sunshine. He always said he would have made the military a career if he could have had his own tank, but ultimately wading through rice paddies in Viet Nam changed his mind. Joe came from a military family, and he always had a soft place in his heart for soldiers. He volunteered with the USO at DFW airport and considered it an honor to help the troops passing thru Dallas. He believed strongly in the DCAP spay/neuter program and was given the nickname "The Ambassador". His home was open to foster dogs and puppies from Operation Kindness as well as assorted strays who ultimately took up permanent residence. Joe passed away on April 10. He is survived by his wife, Kay, son Chad and his family Valerie, Sam and Michael, daughter Carie and her husband Rob. The family will always be grateful and thankful to the staff at Arden Courts Memory Care Center for their support, as well as to the ladies of Compassionate Hands, who made the last weeks of Joe's life so much easier. Burial will take place at DFW National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Operation Kindness Capital Campaign or The Max Fund, or to Dallas Companion Animal Project's spay/neuter program. There will be a Remembrance Party at the family home on Saturday, April 28, from 3-6pm. Please come, raise a glass and share a memory with us.

ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home

19310 Preston Road

Dallas, Texas 75252

214-306-6700