CHAMBLESS, Joseph Franklin (1923-2004)
From Gauss and his Children
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Biography
Unfortunately, I never knew my Uncle Joe well; I only saw him a handful of times during my childhood. I remember once my grandmother bringing up this tall man (I must have been quite young), and asking if I knew who he was. I hadn't a clue. There was some contention between him and my father, Bob Chambless, perhaps over his drinking. My father was a teetotaler. Certainly they inhabited quite different worlds. Joe was like their father, a construction worker, hunter, fisherman, although my grandfather didn't drink. They even looked alike. Bob was more like their mother, softer and more interested in intellectual pursuits, disdainful of anything remotely "handy". He went to college and later to seminary. Joe did not go to college.
What I do know is this: Joe was born to Guy Chambless and Betty Sanderson Chambless in St. Petersberg, Florida in 1923. He joined the Navy in 1942. He loved gardening; I remember visiting him when I was a young adult during the years I lived in Miami, Florida (1973-1977) and his proudly showing me his lime trees and the huge poinsettias that grew in a great mass planting along the front of his small house. I remember his wife, Jeanie, and eating frog legs, and his sometimes gruesome hunting stories. They had a chihuahua named Princess, I think, who liked me fine until Jeanie asked me to cut her nails, after which she loathed me. I know Joe loved hunting and fishing. The passion for racing mentioned in his obituary was news to me.
I have somehow inherited his photo collection, some of which I shall post when I can.
Obituary
Patlaka Daily News, September 29, 2004
Joe Franklin Chambless 80, of Satsuma, died Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at Roberts Care Center in Palatka.
Arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be forthcoming from Watts Funeral Homes, Inc., San Mateo.
Patlaka Daily News, September 30, 2004
Joe F. Chambless
Joe F. Chambless, 80, of Satsuma, died September 28, 2004.
He was born in St. Petersburg in 1923. After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1946, he moved to Miami, where he resided until 1994 when he moved his home in Crescent City on Crescent Lake Shores Drive. He lived there until June of this year when, because of declining health, he moved to Satsuma to live and be cared for by his close friends, Chuck and Joyce Lydick.
Joe was a construction ironworker and a retired member of the Miami Ironworkers Local 272. At one time he was a "pit mechanic" for some of the original race car drivers, and loved car racing throughout his life, and enjoyed telling stories about the early days of racing. He was an active member of Crescent City Moose 1641, and prior to moving from Miami he loved to hunt and fish, and he enjoyed working in his greenhouse and yard.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean in 1994.
He is survived by his brother: Bob (Lois) Chambless of Raymore, Mo.; two stepsons: Danny (Frances) Stephens of Cartersville, Ga.; and Jerry Stephens of Gadsden, Ala.; a daughter-in-law: Wanda Stephens of Gadsden, Ala.; three grandsons: Darin, David and Wayne; six great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law: Mary Shoemaker of Cartersville, Ga.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hospice of the Lakes, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177 or Crescent City Moose 1641, P.O. Box 418, Pomona Park, FL 32181.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 at Watts Funeral Home, San Mateo. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Crescent City Moose 1641 and the Rev. John H. Muller officiating.
Watts Funeral Homes, Inc., San Mateo, is in charge of arrangements.
Source
Patlaka Daily News web site.
References
Letters
People
Census
Other Documents
 Joe and his family |
 Joe and Bob |
 Bob and Joe as children |
 Bob and Joe at Bob's wedding. |
Bob and Joe, WWII |
 Bob, Guy and Joe, 1940s. |
