Joe was one of my closest friends. We knew each other at City, but grew closer at UTC. I remember having a early morning chemistry class with him. Sometimes the professor would be late. He'd look at me and say "Let's get out of here", and we'd bolt out the door. Head to the student center and play hearts 'til our next class. I learned early on at UTC that Joe was ill. He never complained and never talked about it. He was a great guy and when he died it was so hard to lose him. Miss you buddy. Becky
Joe and I met at Northside Junior High School when he literally ran into me in the hall. We were friends from that day on. In the ninth grade he came to me and asked me to be his sponsor in ROTC in high school. Of coarse I said yes because that was a long time from then. Sure enough he made it and he asked me again and of coarse I said yes. Then he asked me to the Military Ball and of coarse I said yes. We always had fun together and he was always a first class gentlemen.
The seniors always at Christmas sponsored an orphan. We bought presents and had a big Chrismas party. I can still see his face when he had a small boy on his shoulders running through the halls just laughing having the best time.
After graduation Joe went to UTC and I went to Chattanooga State and I also worked for his father Bill Graham at Atlas Box. I did not know he was his father for a long time. I left the company in January and went to TN Tech and that is when we lost track of each other. I did not know he was sick or had passed on until later in life.
Joe was kind, gentle and loved life. I am so sorry he did not get to experience more of it He would have made a great husband and father. I am so sorry he is gone and he will always be missed by his good friends. Sherri
Kaye (Becky) Edwards (Chitsaz) (1964)
Joe was one of my closest friends. We knew each other at City, but grew closer at UTC. I remember having a early morning chemistry class with him. Sometimes the professor would be late. He'd look at me and say "Let's get out of here", and we'd bolt out the door. Head to the student center and play hearts 'til our next class. I learned early on at UTC that Joe was ill. He never complained and never talked about it. He was a great guy and when he died it was so hard to lose him. Miss you buddy.Becky
Sharon (Sherri) Johnson (Austin) (1964)
Joe and I met at Northside Junior High School when he literally ran into me in the hall. We were friends from that day on. In the ninth grade he came to me and asked me to be his sponsor in ROTC in high school. Of coarse I said yes because that was a long time from then. Sure enough he made it and he asked me again and of coarse I said yes. Then he asked me to the Military Ball and of coarse I said yes. We always had fun together and he was always a first class gentlemen.
The seniors always at Christmas sponsored an orphan. We bought presents and had a big Chrismas party. I can still see his face when he had a small boy on his shoulders running through the halls just laughing having the best time.
After graduation Joe went to UTC and I went to Chattanooga State and I also worked for his father Bill Graham at Atlas Box. I did not know he was his father for a long time. I left the company in January and went to TN Tech and that is when we lost track of each other. I did not know he was sick or had passed on until later in life.
Joe was kind, gentle and loved life. I am so sorry he did not get to experience more of it He would have made a great husband and father. I am so sorry he is gone and he will always be missed by his good friends. Sherri