Gafford was born May 17, 1910 in Coleman (actually Silver Valley), Texas. He first became involved with aviation before WWII when he learned aviation maintenance at a little airport near Coleman. He then served his country during WWII as an aircraft mechanic. He worked on BT-13s at Goodfellow AB in San Angelo, Texas and was a B-29 flight engineer at Clovis Field, New Mexico. He elected to get out of the service after the war.
He then worked at Hondo AB/AFB, Texas as a civilian aircraft mechanic and crew chief on AT-6s and T-28s. He moved to San Marcos in about 1954 to work for the civilian contractor at Gary AFB/AB. He was a crew chief on Army Cessna L-19 Bird Dogs.
After Mr. Robert Lowman (Texas's answer to Orville Reddenbacker, who made his living selling popcorn all over Texas), donated land just outside of San Marcos for use as a public airport, Joe took over the management selling fuel and aircraft maintenance services.
In the approximate 20 years that he operated Robert Lowman Airport, it became a mecca for recreational pilots, their families and friends. Those who based their planes there as well as others who flew in to bring their planes for maintenance found that he provided a level of service unequalled elsewhere. He made all with whom he had contact feel special and frequently took time out of his work to chat about anything a person might want to discuss.
He had a special love for people, his Masonic fraternity, and aviation until his death on July 27, 1995. He is missed by all who knew him.