Obituaries

Harry Sy Joe

Photo of Harry Sy Joe Photo of Harry Sy Joe
Harry Sy Joe, 100, of Pine Bluff, died Friday, July 6, 2012, at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 28, 1911 in Kai Ping, China, son of Sing Dock and Wing Shee. Born into a farming family with 10 kids, Harry got an opportunity to move to the United States with an uncle at age 10. Harry worked for his uncle on weekends while learning English and going to school during the week as a young boy in Fall River, Mass. Harry eventually moved to Pine Bluff, Ark., where he became the first Chinese boy to play high school football at the Class A level in the state of Arkansas. When the United States entered World War II, Mr. Joe volunteered unsuccessfully to enter the Army because he was not a United States citizen at the time. His persistence landed him in the United States Army Air Corps later in the war and he gained his citizenship while training as an airplane mechanic in Lincoln, Neb. After Mr. Joe's discharge from the Army Air Corps, he started working in Boston for a restaurant. During that period, he married the love of his life, Margaret Howe, Sept. 8, 1948 in Earle, Ark. Mr. Joe and his wife, Margaret, settled in Pine Bluff in 1950 after briefly living in Houston, Texas. They co-owned and operated Joe's Food Center from 1950-1967, and Sy-Joe's Pagoda, the first Chinese restaurant in Pine Bluff, until their retirement in 1981. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, where he was a member of the DMA Club and a regular at the Men's Prayer Breakfast. Mr. Joe was also a lifetime member of the American Legion. One of Mr. Joe's favorite hobbies was drawing. He was featured in an October 2009 SEA Life Magazine article, "The Art of Life," detailing his artwork mainly drawn with markers on paper towels. Mr. Joe had a deep love for his family and his country. He was very proud of his two children for their achievements and attended Veterans' Day events regularly whenever he could, even placing the wreath in honor of White Hall's fallen soldiers during the Memorial Day event this year at the White Hall Museum. Mr. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Howe Joe; parents, six brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his son, Maury A. Joe and his wife, Carolyn of Pine Bluff; daughter, Dr. Cynthia A. Joe and granddaughter, Lianna Margaret Joe, both of Anchorage, Alaska; and a sister in China. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at First Methodist Church with Reverend David Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Robinson's. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 West 6 Avenue, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601 or charity of donor's choice. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.

Published July 9, 2012

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