JV was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was married to his loving wife, Joni Beason Hembree, with whom he shared many cherished years together.
He proudly served his community as a police officer on the Dallas, NC Police Department for three years. He started working with his father at the age of 16 and later went on to own his own successful contracting and painting business, where he built a reputation for hard work, honesty, and dedication.
Outside of his career, JV had a deep passion for muscle cars, fishing, boating, NASCAR, and drag racing. He enjoyed life most when surrounded by family, friends, and the things he loved. His sense of loyalty, humor, and commitment to others touched everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Joni Hembree; his daughters, Lisa Thurman, Tracy Bradshaw; his son, James Hembree; his stepchildren, Sloan Hames and Christy Blanton; his grandchildren, Meghan Hill, Kyle Hembree, Brianna Thurman Wilson, Brandy Danielle Burr, and Zack Bradshaw; and his two great-grandchildren, Wyatt Burr and Walker Burr. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Luoto. JV was preceded in death by his stepson, Travis Hames.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to North Carolina | American Heart Association to support the ongoing efforts in heart disease research and prevention.
JV will be remembered for his strength, loyalty, sense of duty, and love for his family. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched.
A visitation will be held at Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park, located at 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia, North Carolina, 28054, on December 27, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life will take place at the same venue, starting at 3:00 pm.
