Joseph William Harris Jr.

A Celebration of Joseph's Life" will be held on May 7th, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Mountain Ridge Baptist Church - Front Chapel, located at 23104 N. 67th Ave. Glendale, Arizona 85310. Please join us as we share in tribute to him.

Joseph "Joe" William Harris Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the family home, on January 28, 2025. He was 72 years old. Joe was born on January 29, 1952, to Virginal Beck and Joseph William Harris, Sr. in Phoenix, AZ. Joe loved his home state, and would remain there throughout his lifetime. Joe was the oldest of nine brothers and sisters, and the family spent their childhood in the Phoenix area. He graduated from Paradise Valley High School in 1970 as an accomplished athlete. Joe was universally loved by his classmates for his clever sense of humor, powered by razor-sharp intellect. He went on to play football at Glendale Community College, from 1970 - 1972.

Joe spent a large part of his life working in the plumbing industry. He began as an apprentice at A & M Plumbing in 1975. He eventually took over operations, and became part-owner of the company in 1984. Joe took sole ownership of the company in the mid 1990's. He took immense pride in his work and the multitude of relationships he developed throughout his years in the business. Joe operated the company as a family business, working with several of his brothers and sisters. His mentorship led to the growth and development of additional family-owned plumbing businesses, who still use the project estimation system that Joe created for A & M. Joe sold A & M Plumbing in the early 2000’s with thoughts of retirement, but returned to work after a few years at Quail Plumbing, a business owned and operated by his younger brother.

Joe had several hobbies, including reading, collecting classic volumes and first editions, topography, geology, and exploring space with his variable collection of telescopes. He loved learning about his family history, and spent many years piecing together a family tree, still accessible for reference to all of his family. Joe loved to travel and camp, taking road trips to visit and hike through the country’s national parks. He enjoyed researching Arizona’s history and its indigenous cultures, discovering and collecting artifacts, and acting as a tourist in his own state. Joe loved life, and spent time doing his favorite things with his favorite people: developing and nurturing his son's enthusiasm for trains, attending his daughters’ dance recitals, weather and bird watching with all of his children, spending time at his local Starbucks, taking annual fishing excursions, and taking impromptu trips with old and new friends. Joe was a devout Christian. He spent years studying the Bible, and was committed to spreading God's love wherever he went. Joe attended church services for most of his adult life, and served in several capacities as a deacon, a group study leader, and participated in missions work both locally and out of country.

Joe was diagnosed with ALS in 2006. He far outlived the typical life expectancy for the illness. Joe referred to himself as the “lucky-unlucky one”. He often stated that he was “already healed” in the Kingdom of Heaven, and was so excited to return home to greet his Creator.

Joe is survived by his three children, Julia Harris-Pachter, Amanda Harris, and Joseph Harris, his grandson Carter Rizzo, and his eight siblings, Rebecca Self, Pamela Bleich, Peggy Williams, Timothy Harris, Thomas Harris, Kathleen Hill, Peter Harris and Penni Janzen, and his nieces, nephews, and their children.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph William Harris Sr, and mother, Virginia Harris.

The family requests direct donations to the ALS Association, in memory of Joe. The ALS Association provides equipment and essential resources for those diagnosed with ALS, and conducts research to find solutions with the hopes of a cure, in order to end this awful disease. The Phoenix Chapter gave significant assistance to Joe and his family for over ten years, and the family’s gratitude cannot be expressed in words.

Donations can be made by visiting ALS.org. Services for Joseph will planned at a future date.