For those who didn't known him, Joe fixed cars, that is what he did. He ran his business in his own hometown for over 30 years where his friends and neighbors were also his customers and employees. Joe and Ellen had eight kids if you allow me to count Tom their foster son. Family was just about everything to Joe, but what was even more outstanding about this family was that he didn't really put a limit to it - you see, nobody seemed unwelcome and there were many who were fostered thru one point or another of their lives by Joe, me included. I have known them for almost as long as I can remember. Their son Charles is my very oldest and best friend and was the best man at my wedding.
Joe had his own way, and if he had regrets in this life I don't think he dwelt upon them for long – he did what he wanted to do and when he did it, it was with everything he had. Turning wrenches for a living, he had what was called 'good hands,' and he did so many amazing things with them. It wasn't limited to just working on cars – fishing, camping, hunting; he often made what he needed, and sometimes it was as if there was almost nothing that those hands couldn't do if they wanted.
Joe's 'shop' is an absolutely unique place, a throwback to a bygone era where at the end of the day you could draw a cold one, pull up a milk crate and solve the problems of the world, and so many did.. In some ways, working at the shop was just a job, but over time you realized that it was unlike other places – sure you worked hard at a job that was sometimes thankless and it wasn't for a ton of money, but you could enjoy your day, and have a good time, and at the end of the workday it was normal to hang around for a while and work on those problems of the world a little more.
Joe wasn't a perfect man, but he was a good man. I can't explain what he meant to those around him. In spite of a few rough edges, he understood more than most and had the ability to affect people; to apply a boot when that was needed, or take someone under his wing when that was called for, often to the very same person.
Joe was a pillar to those around him. Life had taught him how to tell right from wrong for himself, and he had the character to know which he was obliged to follow. He was a source of great strength, possessed a unique courage, and was an inspiration. As much as he will be missed, those traits live on in those his life touched, those he fostered, those he affected. We can grieve as we must for the personal loss but we must also celebrate him by carrying on with his example as we now pick up where he left off.
Joe may have just fixed cars but what he really did was spend a life making us all better.
—Jeff Carstens
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