Joe Cline Felker

Joe Cline Felker was born on November 26th 1936 in Paden Mississippi to Thomas and Annie Felker. He is survived by his two sisters, Jimmie and Brenda. Joe attended elementary school in Tishomingo Mississippi, and then moved to Kentwood LA. He later moved to Ashland Oregon where he attended Jr High and High School. Joe joined the Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne and learned to jump out of perfectly good airplanes. He served for 3 years and attained the rank of sergeant and was honorably discharged. On May 20, 1961, he married the love of his life, Barbara Geiling. They had two children, Thomas Shannon and Dawna Jo.

Joe Attended Contra Costa Junior College and then Hayward State College where he majored in history and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in July of 1970. He worked for various companies including San Jose Municipal Water, Baroni’s French Bread and Montgomery Wards before obtaining his first teaching position with the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District. He taught 6th grade at Cleo Gordon Elementary School, H. Glen Richardson and Oak Brook Elementary.

He briefly left teaching for 2 years to drive a big rig across the United States. It was a lifelong dream and he had to get it out of his system. He then returned to teaching and later retired in 1997.

Joe was a Freemason and Shriner. He was very active in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s participating in numerous fundraisers for the Shriner Children Hospitals.

After retirement, Joe and Barbara moved to Redding California and began a nomadic lifestyle travelling the United States in their motorhome. They joined the Alfa Wrangler RV group, where they made numerous lifelong friends. Joe also joined a 4-wheel club and attempted to climb every mountain on the west coast in his custom jeep. In 2013 they moved to Antelope California for health reasons. But he still found time to play with his big toys at the Wright Family Farm in Roseburg Oregon. He also enjoyed visiting the grandchildren and participating in their activities including fiddle concerts, soccer tournaments, birthdays, and graduations.

Joe and Barbara were soulmates for 61 years. They were inseparable and in his later years, Barbara cared for Joe day and night, always honoring their commitment to love, honor and cherish each other until death. Joe died on Sunday, August 21nd at the age of 85. He will be greatly missed by his wife, two sisters, two children, eight grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the Lambert Funeral Home, 400 Douglas Blvd, Roseville, CA 95843 on September 9, 2022 at 9 AM. He will be buried at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Dixon.