and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday May 28th, 2020 at his residence, surrounded
by loving family. Joe was born in Washington D.C. on July 26th, 1930 to Joseph and
Angelina (Barsotti) Harkleroad.
He attended McKinley High School in Washington DC up to the 10th grade
and later finished his high school diploma at 60 years of age. Joe served in the
Army National Guard from August 1950 through October of 1952 during which
time he served in the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal with 2
bronze stars.
Joe worked in the grocery industry for over 40 years, most of that time with
the A&P Company. He was also a trained union brick mason and would often
work a second job laying brick and doing other freelance projects to provide for
his family and keep his children in Christian school.
He captured the love of his life and married Betty Jo (Mason) on June 6th,
1954. Joe and Betty Jo both accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior in 1954 and
immediately became completely committed to a life of faith. This was evidenced
by a whole-hearted dedication to service in church ministry and leadership. Joe
was part of a task team that established Capital Christian Academy, one of the
first Christian schools (1961) in the DC metropolitan area. He cultivated a home of
rich blessing grounded on the fear of the Lord and integrity.
Joe was a people person, loved to talk to folks about their lives and, most
importantly, their relationship with Jesus. He had a natural green thumb and had
bountiful gardens wherever he lived. He enjoyed fishing, art, ice skating, listening
to music and playing games with family.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Betty Jo of 66 years and their seven
children: Joe and Andrea (Holfield), Daniel and Jane (Buker), Andrew and Pam
(Paddock), Joy and Mike Sweat, Philip and Amy (Buker), John and Jewel
(Humrichous) and Angelina and Paul Drollinger; along with 25 grandchildren and
42 great grandchildren! Joe is also survived by an older brother James Harkleroad
of College Park, Maryland.
Family and Friends will be celebrating his life on Monday June 1st, 2pm at
Grace Baptist Church Cedarville, Ohio.
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