Joseph C. Kowalczyk

Joseph Charles Kowalczyk, born 4-20-1949, left this world to be in the loving arms of Christ on 3-12-2025. Joe was born in Morris, Illinois, to Joseph A. Kowalczyk and Marjorie E. Roth. He was born into a large Polish family who lived alongside each other on the family homestead. Joe was always surrounded by dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joe began life and ended life the same way, never stopping. Even at 75, he could not sit still. His mother and father loved to race cars, and Joe quickly found this love as well, becoming both a race car driver and mechanic to live out this passion. He could fix anything and would do anything to fix it. It might take a day (or a week) to figure it out, and it might not be too pretty, but he wouldn’t stop until it was fixed and running again.

Speaking of his ever-running spirit, in high school, Joe was a Track and Field star, holding several speed records in Illinois for years. He was also a member of the Wrestling team, only increasing his number of friendships and accolades. After high school, Joe enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to San Antonio, Texas, for basic training. He trained to be a Communications Specialist and Radio Operator. He loved the warm weather of Texas compared to the freezing winters of Illinois and set his heart on moving South. After his service to our country, Joe drove big rigs across America, eventually settling in Austin and working as an apartment manager, until he locked into his true calling as an auto mechanic for many, many years.

Joe had a love for music rivaled by none. His memory allowed him to remember the lyrics to almost any song and helped him develop his musical talents. He learned to play the family accordion at a young age, enjoying Polish folk music. As he grew up, he learned to play the guitar and keyboard as well, he was a one-man band in so many ways. He and his cousins frequented the music scene around Chicago, where his love for rock-n-roll and the blues blossomed. By the time he made it to Austin he was already a part of the music culture, having a story for every scrappy band and smokey bar in the ‘Live Music Capital of the World”, when it still meant something. Even befriending Stevie Ray Vaughn and taking him on one of Joe’s famous “wild rides” in his Shelby Cobra. He loved the thrill of going fast. He qualified as a Formula 1 driver and went to Europe to race for a short time. He earned his nicknames “Hot Rod” and “FastJoe” every chance he got.

To say Joe was a loving and caring soul is an understatement. When his father became ill, he returned to Morris and cared for him until his passing in 1983. Later in life, Joe took care of Margaret Haynes, his partner’s mother, until her death in 2013. Joe imparted so many of his passions for life into the kids he helped raise: Eddie Dounn, Elizabeth Garcia, and Jackson Grimes.

Joe is survived by his longtime partner Cyd Grimes, her son Jackson Grimes, and girlfriend Sarah Pederzani (Austin, TX). His daughter Shannon Poland and her husband Andrew Poland (Abingdon, Illinois). Grandson Vincent Haack and wife Nichol and great-grandchildren Blaine and Drew Haack (Davenport, Illinois). Granddaughter Emma Poland (Abingdon, Illinois). Former wife Linda Dounn (Arizona) and Stepson Eddie Dounn (Austin, TX). Stepdaughter Elizabeth Garcia and husband Britton Garcia and their children Cora Josephine, Aaron “Rudy” and Laura (Arizona).

Joe outran cancer in 2008 but it caught up with him again in 2024. He fought a courageous battle but God called him home on Wednesday 3-12-2025. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to fight cancer. A celebration of life is being planned for a future date, closer to what would have been his 76th Birthday.