H. J. "Joe" Sowell

Joe was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on August 4, 1927 to Heyward and Leila Sowell.

Joe graduated high school and went to Business College in Spartanburg. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Virginia at the end of World War II.

He met and married the love of his life, Luda Best, in 1950. Joe and Luda relocated to Riverside, California in 1959. They were blessed with four children, Gayle, Jody, Kent, and Greg and four grandchildren, Justin, Danae, Victoria, and Joey.

As a young man, Joe loved the auto racing world and worked as a pit crew member for some of the good old boys that were NASCAR pioneers, which helped develop his love for the car industry. Joe was a new and used car auto dealer for over 50 years in Riverside County.

Joe was a member of Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church since 1960. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Joe enjoyed family, camping, fishing, and world travel with Luda and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Joe is survived by Luda, his wife of 65 years, his daughter Gayle (Larry), son Kent, son Greg, and his four grandchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his son, Joe “Jody”, his parents, and his two sisters, Dorothy and Polly.

Joe will be remembered by his family and friends as a loving and generous man, he forever will be in their hearts.