Joseph Delma Mahaffey, born on July 2, 1945, in Paris Texas, to Lanita and John M Mahaffey, passed away unexpectedly in Dallas on April 17. Joe attended Bryan Adams High School followed by Cascia Hall Preparatory School. He then attended Notre Dame University where he majored in Business Administration and Finance and made a number of lifelong friends. After graduating in 1967 Joe returned to Dallas to participate in Republic National Bankâs Officer Training Program. In Dallas he also met and married Cheryl âSherrieâ Judd, his bride, of 52 years. From 1970 to 1985 Joe held several positions with Gulf Oil Corporation including serving as its youngest ever Treasurer. After Gulf Oil, he joined the Mason Best Company as its Chief Financial Officer, then transitioned into the role of President of United Meridian Corporation, a Houston based independent exploration and production company which he co-founded with his friend Ralph E. Bailey. After selling United Meridian, he served as Director and Executive Vice President of Heritage Media Corporation in Dallas. In 1994 Joe joined Fremont Group, a San Francisco based private investment company, holding the position of Managing Director and then President of Fremont Energy, a private oil and gas company owned by Fremont.