Joe Tolliver's Obituary
Joe Tolliver was born in Lake Villiage, Arkansas on July 2, 1927. He passed away on October 5, 2017, at the age of 90.
He lived an amazingly full life. Joe graduated from Central High School in his hometown. He joined the Army Air Corps which later became the Air Force in 1945. He retired in 1965 after attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He traveled around the world while he was in the service, finally settling in Tucson after his last assignment at Davis Monthan Air Force Base.
He was an accomplished artist. At one point he was president of the Tucson Sculptor's Guild.
Joe also taught anatomy classes at Pima Community College.
He had his own style. He went through a period of wearing Dashiki Shirts and then in later years, cowboy boots and cowboy hats.
Cooking was one of his favorite past times. A favorite memory of his son Joey was the time that he baked a cake underground. Joey also remembered how Joe taught him to cook some pretty exotic dishes.
He stayed true to his rural roots. Over the years he planted a variety of vegetables in his garden out in the "A" Mountain area of Tucson. He had an assortment of animals over the years as well, owning from ducks and geese to goats.
Joe's brother Henry remembers how Joe loved to reminisce. He also recalls that Joe was a little rebellious when they were growing up. Joe was very close to his Mother. And like her, he loved to make homemade wines.
Many thanks to his friend Ace Cooper for his help and support over the years. Ace has many stories about his adventures with Joe but feels that they are like what happens in Vegas---those stories should stay in Vegas!
Joe was the son of Rush Tolliver and Mary Webb. His siblings, Irene and Albert Franklin, Crawford, have passed on as well. Virginia (age 92), and Henry (age 87) still survive.
His oldest son, Joseph Andre Tolliver is Dean of Student Life at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York.
His younger son Joe Anthony resides here in Tucson. Joe Anthony (Joey) has three children: Justin Anthony, Gabrielle Mercy, and Caitlynn. Joe was the Grandfather to Alini, Kytura, Kyomi (Justin), Andrielle, Aubrey (Gabrielle) and Anthony (Caitlynn)
Joe spent the last 40 years with his companion, Rita Thomas. He was a surrogate father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to the Thomas family.
His strength was in his mind.
He will be missed by us all.
What’s your fondest memory of Joe?
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