Mervin "Joe" Krows was born August 23, 1932 hear Cestos, Oklahoma to Ledrue and Leona Hay Krows. He grew up on the family farm as an only child after the death of his infant brother, Bobby Lee. He soon developed a special relationship with his cousin, Bonnie Hay Edmonson, when she came to live with the family for many years. He attended and graduated from Richmond School. Joe was a hard working young man helping on the family farm. He had many friends he grew up with along the creek. He loved to ride horses and was a home-run, switch hitting, baseball player. He was introduced to his wife, Martha "June" by her mother Dewayne Charboneau, or "Granny" as Joe called her. It was history from there. Joe and June were married on July 18, 1969 in Tacoma, Washington.

Along with their 3 children Cheryl, Cathy, and Junior they lived a "typical" military family life. This would include packing up and moving about every two years. Joe also served several tours of duty overseas, including Vietnam and Korea. As a family they enjoyed horse shows, camping, fishing, and always a good game of softball or barnyard champion.

In 1979 Joe retired from the Army as a Master Sgt after 28 years of honorable service. He earned numerous medals, one of them being the Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign stars and a Bronze Star Medal with first oak leaf cluster. Work didn't stop there, he worked another 10 years for the U.S. Postal Service in Seiling as well as continuing to live and farm where he was raised.

Joe was very active in the Masonic Lodge since 1977. In 1984, he became a Worshipful Master with Guthrie Scottish Rite as a 32nd degree Mason. He was director of the robe room for more that 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed being Grand Lodge Chairman for the VA hospital service committee for many years.

In 2004 Joe was inducted into the Dewey County Hall of Fame preceded by his mother in 1999.

Joe took pleasure in taking trips with and visiting friends, mingling with kids of all ages. He was known as Paw Paw for nearly 27 years. He loved for the grandkids and great-grandkids to come to the farm and give them rides on the 4-wheeler and ranger. He also loved to show them how to call the cows.

Joe and June are active members of the Community Christian Church in Vici. At the age of 74 he went to be with the Lord on May 7, 2007. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.