This memory had sliped my mind for many years. But seeing his class picture brought it back like it was yesterday. Joe and I would cruz the coastlines of LA in his little white car, I think it was a Pontiac Sunbird. looking for that "good swell of the day". One weekend, I think it was late September "78". We camped out at the beach (slept in the car). It was a cold and dreary day. Still, we put on our wet suits and surfed the day away. I cut my foot on a piece of glass and Joe offered to take me to the doctor. I said no thanks and rinsed the cut out with the salt water and we continued to surf. We laughed so hard, his laugh was contagious! We had so much fun! What a good day! What a Great guy!!!.
I learned about Joe's passing yesterday (2/13/11) from Kevin Gropp. Joe, like Larry Sanchez, was also one of my first buddies going back to Sequoia Jr. High after my family returned to the SFV from AZ in Jan ‘75. Joe had the most unique and contagious laugh of anybody I've ever known. He always managed to find humor in everything around him. He was good humored and was more than glad to share his smile. He had a knack for realizing good, fun times in whatever we did together. Joe in his kind way was sure to bring joy to your day and memories for a lifetime.
We used to cruise Van Nuys Blvd on Wednesday nights in his silver El Camino, but we also liked to just hang at the curb and watch the cars and the people having fun, showing off their wheels and living life. Joe and our other street bike and water skiing buddies (from RHS, Chatsworth H, Granada Hills H, Grover Cleveland H, Birmingham H) would come over to my parents house and flush me out while I was studying (while in college) to go for a ride. They would come into the backyard when it was dark, I couldn’t see them, and tap on my bedroom window. "Tap, tap, tap…" Joe and other buddies, Brian Brown, Andy Chan and James Castro, would say "KB... Come on, you can do your homework later. It can wait. Let's go riding!" How could I resist? Joe and the other biker fellows gave me good excuse to take a break from the rigorous study routine many times. Sometimes we went in our trucks, sometimes on our bikes. Van Nuys Blvd, Canon Dune, Mulholland Dr, Stunt Rd, Malibu Cyn and just about every canyon we could find within a hundred miles. Yes, those were the days when we pushed the limits.
And then there were numerous water skiing trips with Joe, Ron Patterson, Chickie, and Kevin Gropp. And many dirt bike adventures, some of these included Laurie York after Joe bought a four-wheeler. You see, Joe was perceptive, keen and uniquely insightful about some things in life; he knew what it took to include our favorite gfriends. He was always the perfect gentleman from the old school. I count myself lucky to have had unique, best of friends like Joe. Continue to share your contagious laugh and have our ’79 Suzuki RM 125 bikes ready inside the Pearly Gates when I see you again. Until then, I hold our memories dearly.
Here’s a sentiment we all shared… as the next car pulled into the 76 gas station that BB’s pop owned, located at Reseda Blvd/Devonshire Blvd: “Clank, da da, clank, clank.” Little did we know that someday, we too might be driving a “clanker”... and not sweat it. We live, we learn, we eventually come to realize there are more important things in life. Kevin Burns
I was deeply saddeded in hearing of Joe's passing. What wonderful gifts he gave so many of us within his zest for life. I remember a time after not seeing him for many years...I had just walked into the girl's restroom at a fast food restaurant, when the door blew open behind me. There was Joe shouting with his infectious smile "Laurie, how have you been?" This behavior was typical of Joe, as it didn't matter where he was you were guaranateed that he was going to express his love to the fullest. Joe's friendship was always unconditional and I know there are many who will suffer a great loss in his absence. Wonderful memories are a great blessing. Until we meet again my friend! Laurie
Suzanne King (Gillhaus)
Joe was such a nice, funny guy. He always had a smile on his face. I'm sorry to hear that he passed away.Joanne Johnson (Lee)
Joe was a really nice guy. He always made me laugh. I will miss him.James (Trey) Hall III
This memory had sliped my mind for many years. But seeing his class picture brought it back like it was yesterday. Joe and I would cruz the coastlines of LA in his little white car, I think it was a Pontiac Sunbird. looking for that "good swell of the day". One weekend, I think it was late September "78". We camped out at the beach (slept in the car). It was a cold and dreary day. Still, we put on our wet suits and surfed the day away. I cut my foot on a piece of glass and Joe offered to take me to the doctor. I said no thanks and rinsed the cut out with the salt water and we continued to surf. We laughed so hard, his laugh was contagious! We had so much fun! What a good day! What a Great guy!!!.Kevin Burns
I learned about Joe's passing yesterday (2/13/11) from Kevin Gropp. Joe, like Larry Sanchez, was also one of my first buddies going back to Sequoia Jr. High after my family returned to the SFV from AZ in Jan ‘75. Joe had the most unique and contagious laugh of anybody I've ever known. He always managed to find humor in everything around him. He was good humored and was more than glad to share his smile. He had a knack for realizing good, fun times in whatever we did together. Joe in his kind way was sure to bring joy to your day and memories for a lifetime.We used to cruise Van Nuys Blvd on Wednesday nights in his silver El Camino, but we also liked to just hang at the curb and watch the cars and the people having fun, showing off their wheels and living life. Joe and our other street bike and water skiing buddies (from RHS, Chatsworth H, Granada Hills H, Grover Cleveland H, Birmingham H) would come over to my parents house and flush me out while I was studying (while in college) to go for a ride. They would come into the backyard when it was dark, I couldn’t see them, and tap on my bedroom window. "Tap, tap, tap…" Joe and other buddies, Brian Brown, Andy Chan and James Castro, would say "KB... Come on, you can do your homework later. It can wait. Let's go riding!" How could I resist? Joe and the other biker fellows gave me good excuse to take a break from the rigorous study routine many times. Sometimes we went in our trucks, sometimes on our bikes. Van Nuys Blvd, Canon Dune, Mulholland Dr, Stunt Rd, Malibu Cyn and just about every canyon we could find within a hundred miles. Yes, those were the days when we pushed the limits.
And then there were numerous water skiing trips with Joe, Ron Patterson, Chickie, and Kevin Gropp. And many dirt bike adventures, some of these included Laurie York after Joe bought a four-wheeler. You see, Joe was perceptive, keen and uniquely insightful about some things in life; he knew what it took to include our favorite gfriends. He was always the perfect gentleman from the old school. I count myself lucky to have had unique, best of friends like Joe. Continue to share your contagious laugh and have our ’79 Suzuki RM 125 bikes ready inside the Pearly Gates when I see you again. Until then, I hold our memories dearly.
Here’s a sentiment we all shared… as the next car pulled into the 76 gas station that BB’s pop owned, located at Reseda Blvd/Devonshire Blvd: “Clank, da da, clank, clank.” Little did we know that someday, we too might be driving a “clanker”... and not sweat it. We live, we learn, we eventually come to realize there are more important things in life. Kevin Burns
Laurie York (Hicks)
I was deeply saddeded in hearing of Joe's passing. What wonderful gifts he gave so many of us within his zest for life. I remember a time after not seeing him for many years...I had just walked into the girl's restroom at a fast food restaurant, when the door blew open behind me. There was Joe shouting with his infectious smile "Laurie, how have you been?" This behavior was typical of Joe, as it didn't matter where he was you were guaranateed that he was going to express his love to the fullest. Joe's friendship was always unconditional and I know there are many who will suffer a great loss in his absence. Wonderful memories are a great blessing. Until we meet again my friend! Laurie