b. July 7, 1927bp. Madison Co., Tenn.
m. (1) May 9, 1947, Deloris Mae Dorris
m. (2) Oct. 1982, Linda Sue Witherspoon Claude
d. July 7, 1992
pd. Gallatin, Tenn.
pb. Ebenezer Cem., Malesus, Tenn.
Joe Conrad, 65, died peacefully at his home by Bledsoe Creek in Sumner Co., Tenn., on the morning of his 65th birthday. He and Linda had purchased the new house and moved in during October, 1982 at the time of their marriage. Since Sept. 1987, Joe had wrestled with the Death Angel and had held on tenaciously and ever with considerable wit and wisdom. But these last seven months had been very discouraging and he had gotten extremely weak, with repeated visits to the hospital, and good nursing care at home.
Joe served a short term with the U.S. Marines in 1945-46. After training at Parris Island, S.C., he soon was aboard ship for the Orient where he and his unit was to help disarm and repatriate the Japanese Army in China. Based at Tientsin, the Marines were to receive and destroy as much Japanese war material as possible to prevent the arms falling into the hands of the Red Chinese Army. After those months Joe returned to Jackson, Tenn. and began plans for a family and a career in teaching. He went to Lambuth College to prepare for a science teaching career and began courting a neighbor's daughter, Deloris Dorris. On May 9, 1947 they were married at a private ceremony in Corinth, Miss. and made their home in or near Jackson during the next three years. When he graduated from Lambuth College with honors, he found a job teaching and coaching at Crockett Mill High School, Crockett Co., Tenn.
Joe enjoyed basketball and teaching also. He continued studies at Memphis State University for a Master's Degree and some years later was awarded a National Science Scholarship to study at the University of Colorado at Boulder to better prepare for science instruction. He returned as a professor at Lambuth College, where he taught Chemistry and Physics. In 1971 he went to Nashville where he had an opportunity to pioneer in a high school course in astronomy at a new East Nashville High School. While working through that project the Volunteer State Community College opened up at nearby Gallatin, Tenn. and he was invited to teach Science there, and served 14 years before accepting medical retirement. Friends there have established a Science Scholarship Fund in his honor, and they invite us to contribute toward this fund also in his memory.
Joe C. made friends wherever he went or worked. He had a genius for friendship and enjoyed life to its fullest. The difficult years since 1987 did not alter greatly his outlook on life or death; they only intensified his desire that those around him might also know Life and Health and Hope. He appreciated his family and found strength in it and gave strength to it. He refused to give bitterness or resentment a place in his life.
Joe's funeral service was conducted in Gallatin by his pastor, Rev. William W. Morris, who was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church a few days later. A graveside service was held the following morning at Ebenezer Cemetery for friends in Madison Co., Tenn. Besides his widow, he leaves three children, seven grandchildren, and one step-daughter.