Joseph Engel, Jr.

1940 - 2013

Joseph (Joe) C. Engel, Jr. age 73, of Pensacola, Florida passed away Sunday, October 13, 2013 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Joe was born March 27, 1940 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Joseph and Angelina Engel while his father was on active duty serving in the United States Navy. At a very young age, Joe Jr. was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and later became a proud member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors group.

Joe attended St. Michael's and Saint John's Elementary Schools, Pensacola Catholic High School and graduated from Saint Bernard College, Cullman, AL, in 1962. He was employed by Gulf Power Company for 34 years, retiring in 1996, but continued to serve as Chairman of their Credit Union Board since 1997. He worked, in his retirement, for the Good Times Tour Bus Company. Because of his gregarious nature he was always a favorite guide and nicknamed, "Good Time Joe". He was a devout Catholic, third degree Knight of Columbus and on the Nativity Catholic Church advisory board. He was a member of the Elks Lodge 2108. Joe was a passionate and avid golfer. His retired business card read "Have Clubs Will Travel". He was the Admission Chairman for the Blue Angel Classic Golf Tournament and a regular player at AC Read Golf Course as well as many local tournaments. Joe was a generous person, who for years routinely donated blood and platelets.

Joe was preceded in death by his father Joseph C. Engel, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Ruby (McSwain); daughters, Deborah Barkett (Garrett) of Jacksonville, Fl and Brandy Engel of Pensacola; sons, Joseph C. Engel III (JC) of Fort Worth, TX and Jonathon Engel (Dwana) of Pensacola; and a grand-daughter, Haley Barkett. In addition to his mother, Angelina (94), he leaves three brothers, Raymond (Debra, deceased) of Pensacola, Michael (Lisa) of Gulf Breeze and Stephen (Linnette) of Atlanta, GA as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for all their efforts in helping Joe fight leukemia. Most of all we would like to thank Joe Jr. for his inspiration, positive attitude and willingness to fight leukemia and his bravery during his stem cell transplant. He showed us how to live and have faith.

The family asks that any donations be made in his honor to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, October 17, 2013 from 5-7:00 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in the Chapel with Recitation of the Rosary at 6:15 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial celebrating his life will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 18, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Oak Lawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.