Joe Harold “Pop” Waldon, born April 16, 1942 in Ripley, MS, passed away peacefully February 15, 2023 in Germantown, TN. Preceding him in death were his parents, Homer and Josephine Waldon, and his father and mother-in-law, Allen and Jean Barber, all from Ripley.
Harold loved his family fiercely, especially his high school sweetheart and wife of just shy 58 years, Ann. After graduating from Mississippi State University, Harold and his bride moved to Memphis and started their careers. Pop served in the Army National Guard, completed his Master’s degree at Memphis State University, was an active member of the Parkway Village Jaycees, and worked in the financing departments of the former Memphis City and Shelby County School Systems. When he retired in 2006, he was serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the SCSS. Harold served as President of TASBO (Tennessee Association of School Business Officials) in 1989-1990 and received the James D. McCullough Distinguished Service Award for his exemplary service in 1996. He was also actively involved in SASBO (Southeastern Association of School Business Officials) and MASS (Metropolitan Area of School Systems). After retirement, Harold couldn’t stay away from leadership roles, and stayed involved as a Board Member at Large, Treasurer, and Vice-President for the Board of Directors at the Edinborough Condominiums in Memphis.
Harold is survived by his wife, Ann, his only daughter, Jennifer (Patrick) French, and three grandchildren whom he adored, Owen, Olivia, and Jude Waldon French. He will also be missed by his brothers, Gerald (Carol) Waldon of Allen, TX, Phillip (Becky) Waldon of Blue Mountain, MS, his sister-in-law, Cheryl (Jim) Dees of Brandon, MS, four nephews and one niece. The family would like to publicly thank the staff at Brookdale Germantown Assisted Living and Baptist Hospice for loving on Pop during his final days.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 4:00 until 6:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN and also on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM, at McBride Funeral Home, 206 N Commerce St, Ripley, MS. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Melanoma Research Foundation or the Gardening Fund at Edinborough Condominiums, 232 So. Highland Street, Memphis, TN 38111.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Waldon family.