Joe Cardwell

Joe S. Cardwell, 66, of Pensacola, passed away June 27th, 2013 with his family by his side. Joe was born Sept. 8, 1946 in Montgomery, AL to Joseph and Alice Cardwell. He graduated from Stark Military Academy in 1964. Joe married his wife Theresa on June 3rd, 1967 and the two relocated to Pensacola, FL shortly after. He was a college graduate of Troy State University where he earned a Bachelor of Accounting, M.S. in Criminal Justice, and PhD in Criminal Justice. Joe worked for the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office for over 20 years, earning the rank of Lieutenant, until he was forced to retire due to being injured in the line of duty. During his tenure with the ECSO he worked in a number of departments including undercover narcotics, armed robberies, special operations for the state attorney, and warrants. He also helped to organize and execute Escambia County’s 1st Sting Operation. Joe was also an avid saltwater fisherman and loved spending hours fishing for snapper and triggerfish.

Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Theresa, of Pensacola, FL; his daughter, Cassandra (Eric) Allen of Cantonment, FL; three grandchildren: Carley, CariAnn, and Jaxon; brother-in-law, Steve (Jamie) Stephens of Wetumpka, AL; and two nephews: Seth (Nikki) Stephens and Cameron Stephens, both of Wetumpka, AL. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Alice Cardwell of Montgomery, AL; and father, mother-in-laws Sam and Gussie Stephens of Montgomery, AL. Joe also had three pets he cared for very much throughout his life: Puttycat, Bojangles, and SugarBaby.

Services for Mr. Cardwell will be held Sunday, July 7th, 2013, at Oaklawn Funeral Home in Pensacola, FL. Services will begin at 1pm, and followed by Visitation and Reception at 2pm. Casual dress preferred. Interment will take place Monday, July 8th at Montgomery Memorial Cemetery (3001 Simmons Drive, Montgomery, AL). Pallbearers include: Wayne Barber, Preston Byrd, Randy Raborn, Cameron Stephens, Seth Stephens, and Bill Trawick. Honorary pallbearers include: Dennis Bowker, Don Nesmith, Bob Hofer, Perry Knowles, Doug Packer, Julian Alford, LeRoy Pierce, Gary Maley, Robin Dewelle, Mike Vincent, Harold Littlejohn, Tommy Johnson, and Coy McKenna.

Flowers are welcomed but donations to Covenant Hospice are also appreciated. The family of Mr. Cardwell would like extend special thanks to Wayne Barber for being such a wonderful caregiver to Joe during his recent illness. Also, special thanks to Drs. Carter, Gary, Erdos, and Wade and Baptist Hospital Pensacola’s ER & SINU staff for their wonderful care. Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.