Joseph Harrison Red

Joseph Harrison Red, Jr, died peacefully surrounded by friends and family on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. He was born in Little Rock on Jan. 9, 1930 to Joseph H. Red, Sr., and Eva Phillips Red. Joe worked for the Little Rock Fire Department for thirty-nine years and retired as Captain. He mentored many firemen over his career and loved them as his brothers. He had a strong work ethic and the highest compliment you could receive from him was, "He was a hard worker". Joe was a member of Sardis United Methodist Church and a former member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ. He served in many capacities at both churches and both were very dear to him. At Sardis he was known for passing out bubble gum to the children (and some lucky adults) each Sunday. He loved his church family and they were a great source of support and loving community to him. As a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for over forty-five years, Joe helped many battle and overcome addictions. He never judged or condemned but loved unconditionally. This was one of the his key character traits. No one was a stranger to Joe. Pride never kept him from welcoming and sharing his love to everyone he met. Joe was a Shriner at Scimitar Shrine Temple, and he supported the Shrine Hospital, because it provided services to children free of charge. As someone who was raised with little material wealth, he understood people in need. Although he was a successful man, he never forgot from where he came. He appreciated everything he had earned through his hard work, and never failed to give whenever he saw an opportunity. Joe was an example for many. He taught his family and friends the true meaning of love. To know him was to love him, because he loved you first. He couldn't help himself, it was just his nature. He had a profound impact on so many, but he always considered himself blessed that he was worthy of love. He felt so lucky to have his family and friends. He was grateful for his life and everything in it. Always one to look on the bright side, when challenges arose, his attitude was, "It could always be worse". He is survived by his wife, Frances; three daughters, Lana Wiedower, Cinda Baldwin and Melissa (John) Norris; grandchildren, Kiffin Rogers, Harmony Starr, Melanie Reeves, Cody Baldwin, John Collin Norris and Alexander Harrison Norris; great-grandchildren, Mathilda and Eli Starr; sisters, Betty Stooks and Joyce Moore. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 1st at Sardis United Methodist Church, 10715 W. Sardis Rd., Bauxite, AR. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Little Rock Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Little Rock Fide Department Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, Fla. 33607, or Sardis United Methodist Church or to one's favorite Charity. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Joe's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.