Joseph "Joe" Hargrove

Joseph (Joe) Hope Hargrove, 75, passed away Monday, August 24, 2026. Visitation will be Monday, August 31, 2026 6:00-8:00 PM at Memory Chapel Funeral Home and a funeral service will be Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 11:00AM with Rick Mitchell officiating.

Joe was born February 19, 1951, in Tuscaloosa County to Woodrow Wilson and Erma Ashley Hargrove.

Joe leaves behind his beautiful wife of 54 years, Cathey; two sons, Joey (Christal) and Jason (Charla); seven grandchildren, Hope, Hanna, Austin, Isabella, Jayci, Jacob, Brody; sister, Jane (Ronald)Smelley and brother, Dan (Kathryn) Hargrove.

In 1987, Joe and Cathey opened Hargrove Small Motors, serving customers throughout Alabama and beyond. Over the next 33 years, what began as a small motorcycle and ATV repair shop grew into something much more. Customers became friends, and they formed relationships that lasted a lifetime.

Joe’s work was a reflection of his dedication, knowledge, and genuine care for the people he served, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Cathey by his side every step of the way. Outside of work, some of Joe’s best memories were made with his boys at the races, especially through their shared love of motocross and drag racing. He enjoyed going to the races, and everyone knew that if Joe was there and they needed something or had a question – he was always more than willing to help. Those days created memories and built relationships that his family and friends across the motocross community will treasure for years to come. To many people, Joe was known as a mechanic. But to his grandkids, he was Papa, and that was the role he treasured the most. He adored his grandchildren, and they will miss him more than words can say. He never failed to make them smile, whether that meant eating a bug he found in the yard, cooking them breakfast on Saturday mornings, or installing an entire pool and building a deck around it just because he knew it would make them happy. But that still didn’t stop him from occasionally scaring them with his werewolf mask, of course.

For 23 years, he spent countless hours at softball, football, and soccer games, dance recitals, beauty walks, and motocross tracks, no matter how early he had to wake up or how far he had to drive, just to be there to support them. He was truly one of a kind. The love he gave them and the warmth of his hugs will live in their hearts forever. We can only imagine the joy Joe felt as he walked through the gates of Heaven and was reunited with his mom, dad, and all the animals he ever loved. JH Racin’ stickers will continue to appear on dirt bike graphics for years and years to come, a small reminder of the legacy he left here on earth.

His legacy of hard work, generosity, and mentorship will be carried forward by those who had the privilege of knowing and learning from him. He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and all who knew him.

Pallbearers will be Austin Hargrove, Bo Tilley, Lee Tilley, Craig Patterson, Drew Patterson, Edward Ball, Gary McCarver, Jacob Vines, Mason Sisk, Cory Patterson, Randy Coleman, and Roger Wicks.

Honorary pallbearers will be Cindi Coleman, Ricky Smith, Donnie & Debra Bryant, Joe Crutchfield, Craig Wilson, Barry Irby, Shaggy, Brad Miller, Dr. Otero, Eddie Robertson, Micah Alpin, Jeff Elmore, Smith’s Sports Cycles, and all special friends and customers of Hargrove Small Motors. We are overwhelmed with the prayers, calls, and visits from the numerous friends and family that have shown them support during this difficult time.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors for all of the care they have given him over the last several years. We would also like to give a special thanks to Motherson SMP, ZF Foxconn, the Duncanville Volunteer Fire Department, and the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for their support during this difficult time.

To honor Joe’s lifelong passions, the family welcomes donations in his name in lieu of flowers to support MXers for Jesus–Kevin Cozadd Ministries or Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” —Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.” — Isaiah 46:4