Joseph Webb McLeary

Born in Jackson, TN on June 13, 1939, he was the son of Oralea (Webb) and Claude McLeary and brother to Claudine McLeary Patterson and Nancy McLeary Tipton.

He is survived by his amazing wife of 22 years, Joyce, and five incredible children: Joe (Beth Murphy) McLeary of Memphis, TN, Alan McLeary of Jackson, TN, Holli McLeary (Jerry) Ward of Memphis, TN, Chesley McLeary of NY, NY and Madison McLeary of West Palm Beach, FL. He is also survived by three beautiful grandchildren: Murphy McLeary, Katherine and Michael Ward, all of Memphis, TN.

Joe grew up on a family farm in Jackson, TN, graduated with a BS degree in 1961 from Lambuth University followed by a PhD in 1965 from the University of TN. After Graduate school, he joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta as a Senior Economist for five years. He spent the next 15 years as CFO, Director, and President of Cook International of Memphis, TN then later of Palm Beach, FL. In 1988, he returned to Memphis, TN and became involved in private equity investments.

After retiring, Joe moved back to Palm Beach in 1997 with his wife, Joyce, and two daughters, Chesley and Madison. He was an active member of the Everglades Club, Sailfish Club, Bethesda-by-the-Sea and Crocs Men’s Club. He was a previous member of the Bath & Tennis Club and Hunt & Polo Club in Memphis, TN.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church 141 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480 at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 29, 2017 with a reception in the Parish Hall immediately following the Service. Memorial donations may be made to BCAN (Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network) on their website, www.bcan.org, or to Trustbridge Hospice Care at 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or on their website, www.trustbridge.com.