I last spoke with Joe last June when he called me shortly after I moved to VA to live near my daughter. We hadn’t spoken in a while but we talked for an hour as if we just saw each other recently. We promised we would keep in touch but sadly I waited too long as I just learned of his passing after trying first to call him. We worked for the same company for 6-7 years and were close right from the beginning through the years following his leaving the company. I am absolutely heartbroken that I will never get to speak to him again, and my sincere condolences to Teri who I also called friend. If you read this Teri, please call me. If you don’t have the number you can contact me on facebook. I hope to hear from you and again my heartfelt condolences. 

Bruce Yorkshire

To all who love Joe, 
We want to express our deepest and sincere sympathy in the loss of your husband, your father, your grandfather and your friend. He will be missed by many.

Teri and family,
So sad to see this news of my old classmate & friend, Joe .  About 1972,  we'd each have to travel to Waycross, GA on Thursdays to rep for our separate companies.  We'd each get a room at the local Holiday Inn and meet up for dinner and drinks after work. Upon our arrival one Thursday, the Holiday Inn marquis read "Welcome back Dennis and Joe" . That was nice of them.   I think we both switched companies soon after and didn't meet up again until the late 70's when I moved into an apartment directly across the parking lot from his at Regency Lakes in Jax.  Our upstairs apartments stared directly at one another.  I kept my blinds mostly closed because God only knows what he'd see....lol.  It was good to see someone I knew close by.   After that, we lost touch and I only saw him again at a reunion at the beach.   Joe was a really good guy, and I know his memory will live on for generations.  My very best to you all.  May God watch over him now.

Dennis Noon
TP Class of "66"

I offer my sincere condolences to Teri, Heidi, Kiersten, Chad and all the family.

I first met Joe around 1961 when his family moved from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville. At that time we were both barely teenagers when we became neighbors and immediately best friends.  We remained close friends throughout our high school years as well as attending each other’s college graduations and later our weddings.

Remembering as teenagers we did all the crazy stuff together that young people do and Joe was always up for a challenge or new adventure. I remember one night when we were about 14 or15 years old; we took his mother’s car out joyriding without her permission or knowledge. We did get restricted for that mischief but it was a fun time and a great memory.

As the years went by and I traveled down to Orlando on business we always got together to keep up with what was happening in our lives. And when Joe came up to Jacksonville we would also meet. Unfortunately  I moved out of Florida and up to North Georgia about 25 years ago and we had much less contact after that move. However, I’m glad that Joe and I had a very long phone conversation last summer thanks to his daughter Kiersten. We talked about our families, his health issues, and the old times when we were kids. It was a wonderful conversation that made the years melt away.

Joe was a true and loyal friend that was ready to help in any situation. He will be missed by many and I will always treasure the memories we made together long ago.

Godspeed Joe

Joe Tomlinson,  Terry Parker High School,  Jacksonville, Florida 
11th grade, school year 1964-1965

Joe was one of my lifetime fishing buddies. We spent several years fishing together in Gatlinburg TN. One year he invited me to share a deep sea fishing trip off the coast near Cape Canaveral having received it as a gift from Teri. We spent 8 hours onboard a fishing charter in 8-foot swells all that time. Joe never got seasick, but I was not as fortunate. He shared his catch with me eventhough I only fished for about an hour. I've never meet a nicer guy than Joe and we shared so many great times and almost true fishing stories. This year's fishing trip to Gatlinburg won't be the same without him. I'll miss him. 
Joe, rest in peace and enjoy heaven's great fishing adventures. Oh, and tell Jesus a few of our fishing stories when you see him. He'll probably think they're true! Love you buddy!

Spent most of my teen years with the Tomlinson family.  Joe was an amazing daddy and had a huge impact in my life, he will be missed by many.
Sending my love to yall,
Kellie 777

Wai Yee and I love you joe and the Magnificent, talented and skilled Tomlinson Family. Joe May your river trout be forever plentiful I can hear you now, “Fish On” as you are hooking the big one in the sky.  May the God of Heaven bring a tremendous and tangible presence to all family and friends experiencing his loss and my The Holy Spirit comfort you beyond measure with a sense of incredible peace as you grieve.
Sincerely
Dale & Wai Yee

Dear Sweet Tomlinson Family. Please except our most sincere and heartfelt condolences. If I may, I would like to share One of my fondest memories of Sir Joseph, his Trout Fishing, I know, imagine that, in one of his absolute favorite places, Gatlinburg TN. Ah Yes, I can still smell the handmade doe balls made of crustless white bread and crushed Sardines, Mmmm, Mmmmm!  Joe always taunted me that he could out fish me and Danged if he wasn’t right. Every once and a while I would be up a few fish on a good day but some how he always knew how to find a sweet spot where a bunch of unsuspecting river trout would end up on the end of his pole outnumbering me once again. Our last outing was years ago but it was great fun and at least a close count; I still have the total: Joe 83 / Dale 80. After a day of fishing, we would clean up the catch of the day and then set out back on the wooden, worn, high back rockers of Grannies Cabin and just watch and listen to the “The Little Pigeon River” run over the flat rock and chat about nothing and everything. On occasion, mother nature would rear its remarkable head as a black bear running the river bank or pouncing on the garbage pales out front where we kept all the fish parts locked up for disposal. On other occasions we might see a Red-Tailed Hawk seeking out a rodent for an early evening snack or hear a nearby woodpecker making his way through one of Tennessee’s grand hardwoods. Of course, going and coming was always a great pleasure admiring the picturesque landscape of the majestic great smoky mountains. I have Such treasured memories of Joe and I on those trips. he was always a great pleasure to be around and I will always fondly remember our Trout fishing adventures.

OBITUARY

Joseph W. Tomlinson

October 23, 1948 – February 10, 2025

Dignity Memorial Life Celebration Center

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services