Joe and I did a lot of mineral collecting together after I first moved to Phoenix back in 1977.  My most memorable experience was when he took me underground in Jerome.  There was an old adit (mine entrance) not far from the family home.  We had to wade through cold water, which eventually became just a trickle under foot.  After passing through many tunnels, we came to a partially flooded stope.  While I stood in knee deep water with my head lamp off (to conserve the batteries), Joe climbed up a many.  Eventually, I heard him call my name, and I climbed up and joined him.  We were in a long tunnel which we followed to another many (vertical shaft) with ladders.  Once again Joe climbed up first and after I heard him call me again, I followed.  This shaft was in much worse shape than the first, but at least it was dry.  The ladders soon disappeared and timbers that had collapsed down the shaft were like giant jackstraws that I had to carefully climb over and around.

     We ended up in a giant stope (room where ore had been removed).  There was a dim light visible at one end of the stope.  We removed some rubble and found that we were about half way up the wall of the open pit and would have to go back the way we came.   It was quite and adventure, and I ended up getting the worst cold of my life from standing so long in that water in the cool air, and no, we did not find any good minerals that day.

I am just now hearing this news.  Joe was my customer.  We first met at the gas station at the base of Mingus Mountain.   I was getting gas in the company car and this guy walks up and says "Are you my new Klingspor Rep?"  I said "Yes I am and who would you be" and we became friends right there.  We would chat on the phone and he would always tell me when I got up to Cottonwood he would put a pot of coffee on.  I never got to share that coffee with him regretfully.  We spoke of his treatment schedules and artists and sometimes sandpaper.  He was so friendly, funny (always a new tshirt idea) and an a wonderful human being.  I am saddened to see him gone but grateful that he no longer suffers.  Thank you.

I am glad he is no longer in pain and suffering.  I met Joe 6 years ago when he came over to my shop in Camp Verde to talk with John Soderberg about some wood bases that he needed for some of his bronze sculptures.  He saw a Spitfire I was reconditioning and that is when we became kindred spirits.  His passion for Spitfires was exceeded only by his artistic ability and concern for perfection. He was incredibly helpful and generous and played a significant role in the success of the project. Soon after that, he asked me to finish the bodywork and paint another Spitfire he was working on to "have another go" at the Clifton Hill Climb and beat his current standing record. My shop turned out a most beautiful English Racing Green Spitfire racing body to help him achieve his dream. We have kept in touch over the years and I am glad I was able to continue to visit with him and help with his liquidation of some of the "car" items he had collected over time. To me, he will always be remembered as "Spitfire Joe" .

After I moved to Phoenix in 1977, I joined the Mineralogical Society of Arizona where I met Joe.  We became good friends and mineral collecting buddies.  We made many trips to old mines around the state and sometimes we actually found something worth bringing home.  My most memorable underground experience was with Joe in the abandoned workings of Jerome.  We started exploring the art of photographing minerals and even jointly displayed our work at the famous Tucson Gem and Mineral show many years ago.  Joe collected mainly minerals from his beloved Jerome, as well as miners carbide lamps.  We both got into wood working and though it was my business for only six years, Joe made a career of it, crafting beautiful bases for the collectors of fine sculptures.  We did not have a lot of contact during the last few years, but Joe would stop by see me when he was in town picking up supplies.  I attended his mother Carolline's funeral many years ago, and now I bid a fond fare well to Joe.

We met Joe after he was already battling advanced cancer. He crafted some beautiful bases for our bronzes. They must be some of the last ones that he made. What was amazing about him in addition to his talent was his optimism and positive outlook even in the last weeks. And the fact that he never failed to take an interest in others, always asking ‘How are you doing?’ We were part of his “Prayer Warriors” group.  We were glad to have known him.

Thank you Sara fir that beautiful obituary of your father. My husband, Mark and I were his neighbors around the block. He spent 2 Thanksgiving holidays with us. We enjoyed knowing him. Mark and Joe would help each other with mechanical projects. God bless you.