Joe Clinton, Jr. died July 1 at age 71 at his home in Sylacauga. He was known by a number of nicknames, as different people whose paths crossed his knew him in different ways.
He was known as Mr. Friendly at the Sylacauga Home Depot, where he had worked the help desk. He moved up to senior member of the ProDesk, where he was Mr. Fixit, helping individuals and contractors fix whatever their problem was.
In his neighborhood off West Fort Williams Street and Terrace Drive, he was known as the neighborhood’s unofficial mayor, as he walked his rescue dog Chipper through the neighborhood daily, or more. Neighbors along the way would come out to talk with “the Mayor.” And with the first lady if Caprece Clinton was along for the walk.
To Old Timers who had met him long ago at his family’s Dixie Color Printing, he was Joey or Tooke.
To rescue squad members and those who needed to be rescued, he was known as a certified diver who donated his skills. He became the Diving Samaritan.
To those who had fought an addiction, he was known as a Listening Ear who had beaten his own addiction and assisted others in battling theirs. He had walked a mile in their shoes. He helped them move from Alcoholics Anonymous to Recovery Unanimous.
Joey the Photographer. He had been a serious photographer in high school, taking pictures of Aggie football for the Sylacauga News, developing them in his own darkroom. After graduating from Sylacauga High School in the Class of 1971, he completed his BA in journalism at the University of Alabama. He studied at RIT in New York in photography and printing before assuming a position at his family’s Dixie Color Printing in Sylacauga.
Joey the Husband and Family Man. He met the love of his life about 40 years ago and, 37 years ago, joined with Caprece Oliver to begin their family.
Joey the Beachcomber and Seafood Eater. He and Caprece were beach lovers and oyster eaters. They were looking forward to their next beach trip, coming up in about two weeks.
Joey the Gardener. He was a gifted gardener and had a special love for roses and palm trees. The landscaping around their swimming pool is lush and beautiful, and both Joey and Caprece enjoyed it daily, weather permitting.
He was a Sylacaugan, moving there in 1960 at age 6. His family came to bring an industry and jobs to Sylacauga. Dad Joseph T. Clinton, Sr. and mom Helen S. Clinton made a difference in many lives during their lives, as did his siblings James J. Clinton and sister Ann Clinton Sewell (known in Sylacauga as Nancy) and sister Kathy Clinton Sulkis.
Visitation will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Curtis and Son North Chapel. A Celebration of Life Mass will follow at 2:00 p.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church with Rev. Father Shobhan presiding. Internment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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