Homer JOY

04/12/1945 - 09/11/2012

JOY, Homer

Homer Joy was born April 12, 1945, the second of ten children to Howard and Virgie (Clark) Joy in Heber Springs, Arkansas. He died September 11, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV. He was 67. Homer was the son of Elk, Washington, Heber Springs, Arkansas, and Bakersfield, California. Homer married Lois Sams in 1963 and they had seven children: Morgan (Cheryl) Joy of Elk, Preston Joy of Elk, Marshall (Shana) of Anchorage AK, Travis Joy of Elk, Justin (Sue) of Elk, Stephanie (Tracey) Marko of Elk and Bethany Joy of Colbert. Homer was also father to Kristopher Joy of Spokane. In 1996 Homer married Suzan Joy and they later adopted their grandchildren Andriana, Morgan, and Rylan. He was a stepfather to Tracy, Teryn, Kyle, and Corey O'Brien. Homer was a grandfather to 35 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Homer was preceded in death by his beloved Grandmother Edna Clark, parents Howard and Virgie, brother Gary Joy, brother Ben Joy, sister Freda Joy, and step son Kelly O'Brien. Homer was a Grammy nominated songwriter and performer. To date, Homer Joy songs have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Homer died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada after his long battle with heart disease. The Joy family encourages you to consider organ donation, as it was this gift that allowed Homer more treasured time with his family. Homer is survived by his wife Suzan, his children, his sisters Mae Lovell, Suzie (Keith) Wascom, and Tina (Billy) Rackley, brothers Jim (Lori) Joy, Wayne (Crystal) Joy, and Kenny (Connie) Joy. Homer had much love for his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and amazing friends. As was always the case, Homer could best describe his feelings in the form of a song lyric, "I am not home. I am not in heaven. I am just here a little while and I'll be gone. I am just here to sing God's glory and when my time on earth is done he'll take me home." In lieu flowers the family asks that you donate to the Union Gospel Mission, or Toys for Tots as they were causes Homer believed in and contributed to. The Joy family is holding a Memorial Service at the Open Bible Church in Elk Washington on October 1, 2012 at 11 a.m. with refreshments and potluck to follow. A Memorial Service will be held on September 27, 2012 at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California as well.