Joe Calvin Brueck Jr.

Published 12:02 pm Wednesday, January 29, 2014

With his family by his side, Joe Calvin Brueck Jr. passed away peacefully Jan. 14, 2014. Joe was pre-deceased by his loving mother and father Joe C. Brueck Sr. and Leanie T. Brueck and his sister Betty Langford Knight.

Joe grew up in Brookhaven where he was a three-sport star athlete at Brookhaven high school. He was named to the National High School All-American football team in 1955 and was selected MVP of his high school football team the same year. Upon graduation from BHS, Joe received a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky and was fortunate to play under such coaches as Blanton Collier, Don Shula, Ermal Allen, Matt Blair, Bill Arnsparger, John North and Charlie Bradshaw. While at the University of Kentucky, Joe also participated in track and held the SEC record for the javelin throw for several years.

After graduating from UK, Joe became a teacher and coach. His first four years were spent at Daviess Co. High School in Owensboro, Ky., and then two years at Pascagoula High School.

When Joe’s coaching career ended he moved his family to Raleigh, N.C., where he owned and operated Duraw Manufacturing Inc., a successful wire and cable manufacturing company with operations in both North Carolina and McComb.

Joe had a love for all people but especially children and spent his life as a mentor, father figure and adviser. While in Raleigh, he was a volunteer coach at both youth and high school levels. He coached his two oldest grandsons at Sanderson High School. Joe took great pride in helping begin the Athletic Booster Club at SHS and in October of 2013, he was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2002 Joe received the Bill Wade Unsung Hero Award in the All American Football Foundation for his outstanding performance in his chosen profession.

Joe leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 55 years, Lois Ann; his five children, Joe III and wife, Gigi; daughter, Kim Williams and husband, Jackie; son, Tim; daughter, Cynthia Lewis and husband, Bobby, and John and wife, Colleen. He also leaves his 14 devoted grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa, and one great granddaughter. Joe is also survived by his sisters, JoAnn Waltman and husband, Herchell, and Barbara Bethshares and husband, Jim; his brothers-in-law, Joe Johnson II, Michael Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials are suggested to the local Wake County Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org (1-800-272-3900).

A celebration of and thanksgiving for Joe’s life will take place in Mississippi and will be announced at a later date.