Joseph G. Whitson, Jr.

Joseph G Whitson, JR passed away of natural causes at Camp Dwyer in Afganistan on Monday May 7, 2012. Joe, to the rest of the world, Jody to his mom, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on August 18, 1961. Along with his ability to read by the age of 3, he was naturally curious and interested in things way beyond his years. He often broke down his toys to see what made them work, all to the dismay of his nannie and to the delight of his grandfather, Jack. As his dad read the newspaper, Joe would stand on the other side and continually ask, 'What is that word?' His love for books was further nurtured by his grandmother and his constant request of, 'Please, nannie, just one more book.' Joe attended Miss Chisholm's Preschool. Again, correcting his parents one evening during dinner, that it is much nicer 'if we ate with our left hand in our lap'. Joe attended George R Stuart Elementary and North Lee Elementary and graduated from Bradley High School in 1979.he then received his Associates Degree from Cleveland State College and went on to the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga graduating in 1984 with degrees in math and computer science. He immediately went to work with Digital Equipment in Atlanta, Georgia. Oh, how he and his dad loved SEC Football and especially , the Tennessee VOLS, and, if you look in the dictionary under 'Star Trek' it says, 'See Joe Whitson, Jr.' and you must include Joe's love of poetry often quoting R. Kipling's 'IF' his favorite hymn was, 'There is a God, He is alive', we suspect that Joe truly found his 'Niche' in the fall of 2007 with his first contract assignment in IRAQ. The admiration he developed for these brave men and women serving their country in constant harms way, was apparent to all who knew him. He would visit home and developed a love for the beach in Pensacola, Florida. Perhaps, his love for the music of Jimmy Buffet had an early influence. Joe and 2 of his buddies in Cleveland, TN actually built a 'cabin' and fittingly named it 'Margaritaville' population #3. During this period Joe discovered his love for cruising and loved traveling to Rome and to Santorini and especially, Dubai. Joe was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Albert and Bonnie Whitson and Jack and Ruth Krise, Harriman, Tn and his younger brother, John David Whitson. He is survived by his father, Joseph G. Whitson (Roseanne) of Cleveland, Tn and his mother, Jane Krise Nicholas (Tom) Pensacola, Fl and his most special group of friends. One such friend found Joe to be a friend like no other. Amazingly intelligent, witty, funny and astute. He was very supportive when necessary and pragmatic, when the occasion called for it. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 PM Friday at Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman, Tn. Funeral service 10 AM Saturday at Kyker Funeral Home Chapel in Harriman. Interment to follow in Willard Park Cemetery. Rest in Peace Jody.

Joseph G. Whitson, Jr.

August 18, 1961 - May 7, 2012