Joe C. Ince

Joe C. Ince, 87, of Gonzales, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. He was born on June 15, 1928 in Gonzales to Charles Erskine and Lois Cone Ince where he resided on the same block in Gonzales his entire life. He married Laurel Thompson Ince, also of Gonzales, on June 14, 1950 and together they raised a family of four children, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Joe grew up in the family business, C. E. Ince Plumbing and Sheet Metal, and owned and operated Central Concrete, Inc. from 1960 to 1998 with his family at his side. He was very active in his community in many capacities ranging from a member of the Gonzales Volunteer Fire Department to board of directors at Citizens State Bank in Luling. He loved the Lord as much as his own family and devoted much of his life to his church families as a multi-denominational Christian, serving faithfully as a Methodist, Southern Baptist and Presbyterian.

Joe and Laurel loved to travel and enjoyed many international trips including the Amazon jungle, the tip of South Africa, Alaska, Tokyo, China, Europe, Russia, Scotland and well as frequent domestic travel to Little New York. Joe loved to go and do, and was still traveling as recently as this summer.

Food was a passion he enjoyed thoroughly. Along with frequenting five-star restaurants, cooking and entertaining family and friends were a few of Joe’s many pleasures in life. He had the opportunity to attend the International Workshop in French Cooking located in Lylon, France; hosted a New Years Day pancake breakfast for many years featuring his fabulous home made pancakes, and anyone who has ever attended Mrs. Ince’s piano recitals enjoyed his famous cookies.

Music filled Joe’s life with joy and appreciation. He was very involved in a number of organizations and committees with his wife Laurel both on the state and national level and enjoyed long-lasting friendships with many music professionals all over the country as well as internationally. 

He was a devoted husband, loving father, and a dear friend to many people. He was a man of honor and integrity that few men can match. He left a positive impact on everyone he met, and believed in enjoying every moment life has to offer with a positive attitude.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Laurel Thompson Ince; son, Joe C. Ince, Jr. (deceased) and his children Carolyn Vickers Rossi and Stephen Ince; son, Mark A. Ince and wife Noell Stout Ince and their children Ariana Ince, Mariah Ince and Thompson Ince; daughter, Susan Ince Burns and husband Robert Burns and their children Jason Burns and Rachel Burns; and son William C. Ince and wife Trudy M. Ince, his children Kayla Ince Raven, Michael Ince and Victoria Ince, and Trudy’s son Cory Foster. Great-grandchildren were joyfully provided by Carolyn and Angelo Rossi, Kayla and Kris Raven, and Michael and Christen Ince.

Memorial donations may be made to the Round Top Festival Institute, P.O. Box 89, Round Top, Texas 78954. Joe served as a member of the Founders Council at the Round Top Festival Institute where he and Laurel spent some of their fondest memories surrounded by the beauty of music and nature.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Gonzales.