Joseph Legare Harley

Joe grew up in the small town of Harleyville, South Carolina. He spent a great deal of his childhood working but excelled academically and was an outstanding football and baseball player.

In 1958, Joe began attending the University of South Carolina. He worked numerous jobs to pay his way through school but still managed to have a brief stint on the University baseball team. Joe graduated from the University in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in mathematics.

Joe married the love of his life, Geneva (Floyd) Harley in 1961. They were married for 61 years prior to Joe’s death.

Shortly after graduation, Joe took a job with a contractor for NASA and had the opportunity to work alongside several of the early astronauts and at one point even got to sit in a simulator with Neil Armstrong. Later, Joe embarked on a long and successful career with IBM which took him from Charleston, South Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida and then to Atlanta, Georgia.

After 29 years with IBM, Joe retired, but always remained extremely active pursuing a number of personal passions including performing home repairs for neighbors, playing golf with a beloved senior men’s group at Indian Hills Country Club and working at his and Geneva’s small farm near Lake City, South Carolina.

While Joe thrived on hard work, one of the joys of his life was the many friendships he formed that endured for decades. Joe had somewhat of a hidden talent in old fashioned South Carolina style barbecuing. He loved to cook overnight and be joined the next day by friends and family.

Joe was an active member of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for over four decades. He will be missed by his Sunday School class and members of his senior men’s group.

Joe is survived by his wife, Geneva, two sons Mike (Kim) and Greg (Manda) and two grandchildren, Kamryn and Kate. Joe cherished the time that he spent with Kamryn and Kate and was loved greatly by both of them. Joe had four beloved siblings. He was preceded in death by his sister Faye Carter and survived by his sisters Mary Anne Griffin, Linda Swindell and a brother, Ray.

A memorial service to honor Mr. Joseph Harley will be held at the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. Please visit www.HMPattersoncantonhill.com to share fond memories and expressions with the family. HM Patterson and Son Canton Hill is honored to serve the Harley family during this difficult time.