Joseph Benjamin Thompson

Joseph Benjamin Thompson, Jr. was born on May 5, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the eldest of five children born to the union of the late Joseph, Sr. and Eunice Thompson. On Thursday, May 4, 2017, he rejoined his heavenly family.

After graduating from Withrow High School, Joe attended the Ohio College of Applied Science which launched his technical career at General Electric Aircraft Engines, where he worked until his retirement. Over the years Joe also worked with the United States Post Office and Sears Roebuck and Company. Joe confessed his life to Christ at an early age and was a member of El Bethel Baptist Church.

Joe was known for his meticulous craftsmanship and detailed approach in any job that he had. He always enjoyed a good home remodeling project and believed in taking his time and doing it right the first time! Because of this, there are many family and friends’ homes that he assisted in remodeling that have his stamp of approval.

Joe is married to Barbette and is the father to five children with each one being his “favorite”. He enjoyed, watching and playing sports, entertaining, and enjoyed spending time with his family. Over the years he enjoyed playing baseball, softball, bike riding, playing cards and bowling. Just the day before he passed, his bowling team won four games during which he was known to have talked “plenty trash”! Having retired, Joe enjoyed being a grandfather and was proud of all of his grandchildren. He shared his love of sports with them and traveled near and far to watch them play.

Joe and Barbette enjoyed entertaining. They hosted many memorable parties and family holiday gatherings, during which he enjoyed his sweets. You would often see him with a sly smile and “piece of cake” in his hand. Joe showcased his love for R&B and Silky Soul music as the “dj of WJOE” by creating mixed-tapes which were carefully curated with a seamless blend of music. Each tape was produced specifically for the listener.

Being a “music connoisseur”, Joe enjoyed traveling to different places to hear his favorite artists. So it was very fitting during his last weeks for him to combine his love of travel, with his love of music. He and Barbette attended Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz at the Broadmoor in Colorado and the Sea Breeze Jazz Festival in Panama City, Florida, where he was able to stick his feet in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico so he could “feel the sand between his toes”.

Joe was preceded in death by both parents and his brother David. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Barbette, his children, Joseph Frost, Ivy (Chris Jason), Fawn, Joseph III, Jonathan, three sisters, Edith (Mike), Grace (Don), Janie, sister-in-law Anita Parks, nephews David, Jason and nieces, Robin, Nedra, Angie, Brianna and Machael, grandchildren, Christian, Paige, Justin, Jayla, Rodney, Jasmine, Xavier, Nadia, Jerell, Jocelyn and a grandson on the way, as well as, two great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives, a multitude of friends and his El Bethel Baptist Church Family.