Joe was born February 15, 1943 in Louisville, Kentucky to former Marine Joseph P. Beck Jr. and Thelma Rose Beck. He was a graduate of Butler High School, class of 1961 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Math from Murray State University in 1966, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree. Joe married Shirley A. Yount in 1964 while still attending Murray State. After graduation, Joe worked as a research chemist at Dow Corning in Elizabethtown, Kentucky then Catalysts and Chemical, and General Electric in Louisville, Kentucky. In later years, Joe started his own business, Lawn Groom lawn care company and retired in 2020.
Spending time with his family, working in his yard and garden, and woodworking were his favorite pastimes. He had a lifelong love of fishing which began as a boy on his grandfather’s farm in Indiana and loved to go out in the boat with his wife, children and grandchildren. Joe had a 1966 Ford Thunderbird that he dreamed of restoring and enjoyed tinkering in his garage and basement workshop. His family will continue to treasure all the many beautiful, handcrafted items he made for them over the years. Joe always enjoyed talking with his neighbors over the backyard fence and comparing the size of their tomatoes or catching up with what was going on in their lives. He was a kind, loving man who was always ready to help his children, friends, and neighbors without being asked and will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Shirley; daughters Tamara Becker (Ken) and Lori Gentner (Greg); son Joseph Philip Beck IV (Nina); grandchildren Captain Mitchell H. Becker USAF (Brittany), Lyndsey M. Becker, Christopher Philip Beck, Ryan Joseph Beck, Abby Elise Gentner, Logan Joseph Gentner and one great-grandchild Courtney Rose Becker; sisters Judy VanMeter and Janet Gregory.
Visitation will be held Saturday, from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm, at Evergreen Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and Voces Novae at www.vocesnovaelouisville.com.
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