ISOM, JOE AND DEANNA (ROOF)

by Deanna Isom

Entry F198 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Joe Isom Family. Joe, Larry, Deanna, Scott, Sherrill, Gary.

Gary Joe Isom was born 1947
in Scottsbluff, NE. Son of John Floyd Isom
and Lucy (Junod) Isom. When he was 4 years
old his parents built a home in Mullen where
they still reside. Joe's paternal grandparents,
Charles Terry Isom and Mattie (Carr) Isom
both had homesteads north of Mullen in
Cherry County. His maternal grandmother,
Edna (Kime) Junod was born and raised in
South Cherry County.

Joe's entire school days were spent in
Mullen Public Schools. His one brother,
Terry John Isom and sister Patty Leanne
(Isom) Bader, as well as both parents are all
graduates of Mullen High School.

In 1966 when he graduated, Joe went to
Denver and entered Barber School, during
this time he was drafted into the Army and
spent two years there, one of which was in
active duty in Vietnam. Upon his return from
service he finished his Barber School and
received a Colorado Barber license.

In 1971 he married Deanna Roof and was
employed in cabinet making with Deanna's
father, Earl Roof. In 1974, they moved to
Mullen where Joe and his father, John,
operated "Isom Dragline Service". In 1983,
John retired and Joe has continued operating
the business by himself.

The Isoms have built and finished most of
their own home in Mullen and Joe has made
all of their furniture besides making some
cabinets and special pieces of furniture for
other people.

Deanna worked for the Hooker County
Tribune and Baldwin Hardware in Mullen
until 1980 when their first son, Gary, was
born. In 1981, Joe and Deanna purchased
Bladwin Hardware from Cecil and Stella
Baldwin and moved the store to a building
located east of the Post Office. Three more
children joined the family - Scott in 1982,
Sherrill in 1983 and Larry in 1985.

At the present time, Joe still operates the
Dragline Business and Deanna, with the help
of the four youngsters, runs the hardware
store.