Joe Franklin Gaskey, Sr.

Obituary: Joe Franklin Gaskey, age 85 died Saturday February 26, 2011 at The Haven in Highland Creek in Charlotte NC following several years of declining health. He was born April 20, 1925 in Cabarrus County NC, a son of the late Robert Franklin Gaskey and Connie Gray Gaskey. He was educated at Odell School in Concord and at Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer NC. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and received further education at Michigan State University in East Lansing MI. Joe married his high school sweetheart, Emma Oleta Johnston in 1943 and they lived together in various locations while he was in service, settling after the war in Concord NC for the remainder of their 61 year marriage. He was a watchmaker and principal of Williford's Jewelers in Kannapolis for a number of years, leaving to enter the financial services industry and start a very long career with Cabarrus Bank and Trust Co. at the West Avenue Office in Kannapolis. He held various positions at the bank but will be remembered by most as a Vice President for Commercial Banking. He was a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. Joe and Oleta were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Kannapolis for over 50 years. He served in various officer capacities during that time including terms as both a Deacon and Elder. He was the Chairman of the Building Committee during the time the current sanctuary was designed and completed in 1975. Joe was a Charter Member of the Winecoff Volunteer Fire Department and Chairman of the Parkwood Sanitary District as well as an active member of the Winecoff Lion's Club. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife Oleta, a brother, Howard R. Gaskey and a sister, Margaret G. Morrison. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, March 3, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis officiated by Rev. Cathy George. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 prior to the service in the church parlor. Private burial will be at Carolina Memorial Park. He is survived by his son, Joe Jr. and wife Stephanie C. Gaskey of Concord NC and two Grandchildren, Kristen G. and husband Robert Price of Sanford NC and Carin G. and husband Scott Gregory of Great Bend KS. He has three Great Grandchildren, Madison I. Price, Noel G. Gregory and Wade J. Gregory. His nieces include Phyllis A. Gaskey, Joyce M. Harris, Elizabeth W. Marsh and Jeanne W. Potter. He has two nephews, John Johnston and Joe Johnston. Special thanks to the staff and physicians associated with The Haven of Highland Creek for their long, compassionate service and most recently the staff and physicians of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region - Lake Norman for their care and concern. In lieu of flowers please remember his life through Memorials to either First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance Street, Kannapolis NC 28081 or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 Seventh Street, Charlotte NC 28204. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com
Visitation: 1:00 - 2:00 PM Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church in the Parlor.

Service: Memorial service at 2:00 PM Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, Kannapolis

Interment: private interment at Carolina Memorial Park